Wetlands

Wetlands are a critical part of our natural environment. They protect our shores from wave action, reduce the impacts of floods, absorb pollutants and improve water quality. They provide habitat for animals and plants and many contain a wide diversity of life, supporting plants and animals that are found nowhere else.

Australia currently has 65 Ramsar wetlands and more than 900 nationally important wetlands.

The Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy, through the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office, is the administrative authority within Australia for the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.

About wetlands

• What are wetlands
• Wetlands Hot Topics
• Wetland publications

Ramsar convention

• Ramsar convention on wetlands
• Ramsar documents
• Australian National Guidelines for Ramsar wetlands
• Implementation of the National ECD Framework
• Criteria for identifying Wetlands of International Importance
• Cobourg Peninsula, Northern Territory - the world's first Ramsar site

Managing wetlands

• Who manages Australia's Wetlands
• Australian Ramsar management principles
• What can I do?

Australian Wetlands Database

• About the Australian Wetlands Database
• Australian Ramsar Wetlands
• Directory of important wetlands in Australia

Wetlands programs

• Australian Government Wetlands programs
• Australian wetland education centres
• Communication, Education, Participation and Awareness Programme
• Queensland Wetlands Program

World Wetlands Day

World Wetlands Day is celebrated internationally each year on 2 February

• World Wetlands Day
• Discovering wetlands in Australia — a primary classroom resource