Back in 1971 on 2 February, the Convention on Wetlands was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar which sits on the shores of the Caspian Sea

Today, the 2^nd February is a really important day for people and wildlife, because it’s a chance to highlight how important wetlands are to us all. They are where land meets sea.  The 2nd February is World Wetlands Day.  And in 2024, the theme is Wetlands and Human Wellbeing - if we all understood how important wetlands are to our wellbeing, it will help motivate everyone to care for them and protect them. 

Join 

#GenerationRestoration #ForWetlands

Where are wetlands?

Wetlands cover areas such as shores, estuaries, mudflats, floodplains, coastal marshes, local ponds, the bog and pond in your garden, mangrove swamps, seagrass beds, and rivers.  They cover a very small of the earth’s surface – and yet they are one of the most important habitats on our planet.  WWT has lots of information about these areas - you can click to see it here.

"If rainforests are the lungs of the planet, then wetlands are the lifeblood.  As much as we need air to breathe, we need water to live.   The conservation of our wetlands is essential to all life on earth.”  WWT

Why wetlands matter to people:

• They provide us with drinking water
• They store a third of the world’s carbon emissions
• They buffer us from floods and droughts
• They are important for our health and wellbeing

#WetlandsCan

Please sign the pledge

...and help the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust push for the creation of 100,000 hectares of healthy wetlands in the UK to help fight the wellbeing, climate and nature crises.

Why do wetlands matter to wildlife?

40% of all plant and animal species live or breed here.

They are vital breeding and feeding grounds for migratory birds – stopover points, if you like. Banc d’Arguin National Park (Mauritania) is one of the most important zones in the world for nesting birds and Palearctic migratory waders, Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (Phase I) (China).  These birds use wetlands such as our coastlines to stop, moult, rest, winter or nest.  

Pantanal Conservation Area (Brazil) is one of the world's largest freshwater wetland ecosystems.

Sundarbans National Park (India) is formed of tidal rivers, creeks and canals and supports species such as the single largest population of tiger, and aquatic mammals such as the Irrawaddy and Ganges River dolphins, all under threat.

Mud, mud, glorious mud
The power of mud....Preventing climate change
Watch this video from WWT on You Tube 
to find out what mud can do to combat climate change

So what’s happening to wetlands in our changing world?

 A recent global IPBES assessment identified wetlands as the most threatened ecosystem. This impacts 40% of the world’s plant and animal species that live or breed in wetlands.

The official website of World Wetlands Day says "we need to revive and restore degraded wetlands". 

35% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared in the last 50 years

Our wetlands are threatened by:

• Pollution
• Climate change
• Dams
• Over-exploitation 
• Unsustainable development
• Invasive species

So what can we all do to help wetland conservation?

 WWT can create new wetlands in a few months and years – so your support can really make a difference quickly.  But there’s something we can all do to help and you’ll find more links and further resources further down. 

• Find out why they matter to people and wildlife.
• See what you can do at home to help wildlife.  Create a (mini) pond in your garden, local area or school - WWT or the RSPB can show you how
• Visit a wetland close to you if there is one, and spend time there.   Use your senses while you visit.  Listen to the sounds you can hear; look at the sights, smell the scents.  Connect with them.
• Find out which of your local conservation charities are working to protect and restore wetlands.  How can you get involved and support them?  Many of them will be working on projects which you may be able to get involved with. This could be by volunteering, donating, buying something from their online shop, becoming a member, spreading the word about them - there are lots of ways to help. 
• #WetlandBiodiversityMatters to see what’s happening
• Support an appeal for wetlands somewhere in the world
• Make a pledge to act for wetlands 

Further Resources

World Wetland Network – a collection of NGOs and Civil Society Groups all working for wetland conservation

Wetland Link International – a support network for wetland education centres which deliver engagement activities on site.  The WWT in the UK lead it; it has 350 members over 6 continents!

RAMSAR –  The Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. 

World Wetlands Day – held every year on 2 February to raise awareness of the importance of wetlands and how we can all help

WWT – the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in the UK.   Visit one of their 10 sites around the UK and/or visit their website to see how you can get involved.

The Global Wetland Outlook – take a look, it’s fascinating reading