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.
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 2012
The international theme for World Wetlands Day 2012 is Wetlands and Tourism - a great experience and aligns with the theme of the 11th Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention 'Wetlands, Tourism and Recreation' which will be held in July 2012 in Bucharest, Romania.
Responsible tourism supports wetlands and people. In 2009–10 tourism directly employed over half a million Australians and contributed $34 billion or 2.6 per cent to Australia's gross domestic product (Tourism satellite account 2009–10, Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism). Many tourism destinations are at wetlands, including iconic sites such as Kakadu National Park. Wetlands also provide local tourism and recreational opportunities, including boating, fishing and bird watching.
Organisations across the world are again planning a wide range of free events to celebrate this important day and the Queensland Wetlands Program is supporting and promoting many of these activities. Since this year focuses on the recreational values of wetlands, why not celebrate this World Wetlands Day by heading out to a wetland near you.
Whether it’s kayaking, bird watching, tree planting or interactive kid’s activities, there is likely to be something exciting happening near you for World Wetlands Day.
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