World Wetlands Day
World Wetlands Day is celebrated internationally each year on 2 February. It marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (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 2010
The international theme for World Wetlands Day 2010 is "Wetlands, Biodiversity, and Climate Change," and its focus is on Caring for our wetlands - an answer to climate change. This was to coincide with the United Nations International Year of Biodiversity and in recognition of the likely impact of climate change on wetland ecosystems, and importantly, about the role of wetlands in climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Climate change is one of the greatest economic, social, and environmental challenges of our time, and the Australian Government is meeting that challenge. We are getting on with the job of preparing for a future with less water. A drying climate and rising demand for water means added pressure on Australia's rivers and wetlands
The Australian Government has developed Water for the Future an initiative that provides national leadership in water reform. This long-term initiative aims to secure our water supplies, use water wisely, take action on climate change and support healthy rivers.
Calendar of Events
The Australian Government produces a web-based Calendar of Events for World Wetlands Day each year. If you have a World Wetlands Day activity that you would like advertised before 2 February, please contact wetlandsmail@environment.gov.au.
World Wetlands Day 2010 activities are outlined each State or Territory:
World Wetlands Day materials
To celebrate World Wetlands Day these products are available from the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts:
- World Wetlands Day posters
- Wetlands Australia - National Wetland Update 2010
- Shorebird Migration poster
More World Wetlands Day materials are available from the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands website
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