World Wetlands Day
World Wetlands Day is celebrated each year on 2 February. It marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) in Ramsar, Iran, on 2 February 1971.
World Wetlands Day was first celebrated in 1997. Since then government agencies, non-government organisations and community groups have celebrated World Wetlands Day by undertaking actions to raise public awareness of wetland values and benefits and promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands. These activities include seminars, nature walks, festivals, launches of new policies, announcement of new Ramsar sites, newspaper articles, radio interviews and wetland rehabilitation.
World Wetlands Day 2008
The international theme for World Wetlands Day 2008 is Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People. This is in recognition of the importance of the impacts of wetland-related diseases and poor sanitation on the quality of water and wetlands.
Wetlands have numerous functions:
- wetlands provide habitat for plants and animals such as amphibians, fish, reptiles, mammals and birds
- wetlands help control flood waters by acting like a giant sponge, absorbing water during heavy rainfall then slowly releasing it back into the ecosystem
- wetlands can assist in erosion control as they are often located between water bodies and high ground. The roots of the vegetation help to protect soil from high impact events such as wave action or heavy rainfall events
- wetlands are important culturally and for recreational activities
- wetlands enhance water quality as they act like giant kidneys, purifying and processing nutrients, suspended materials and other pollutants
World Wetlands Day materials
- Wetlands Australia National Wetlands Update - 2008 (order printed copy)
- Australia's wetlands - unique and diverse Magnets - 2008 (order printed copy)
- Australia's wetlands - unique and diverse Stickers - 2008 (order printed copy)
- Discover the diversity and unique aspects of Australia's wetlands Bookmark - 2008 (order printed copy)
- Keep in touch with Australia's wetlands Postcard - 2008 (order printed copy)
- World Wetlands Day Poster - 2003
- World Wetlands Day Poster - 2008 (order printed copy)
- Shorebird Migration poster
- 'Wetlands are important for...' stickers (5 colours with different themes)
- World Wetlands Day fridge magnet
- Factsheets:
- Water Resource Publications
Previous World Wetlands Day activities
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