PBS Nature just came out with a documentary on the efforts to restore Iraq's Mesopotamian marshes fed by both the waters of the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers was once twice the size of the Everglades, at 6,000 square miles. Due to intentional water diversion and drainage under Saddam's reign, the marshes have shrunk to 10% of it's original size.
Beginning in 2003, Azzam Alwash has struggled to restore the historic wetlands area for both Iraqi citizens and wildlife including many unique bird species, including the Basra reed warbler. which have begun to repopulate the area.
The full length video is here: