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World Wetlands Day

Cobourg Peninsula. Photo - Elizabeth McCrudden

Cobourg Peninsula - Australia's first Ramsar wetland. Photo - Elizabeth McCrudden

World Wetlands Day is recognised as a United Nations International Day of Importance, celebrated around the world 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.

Since 1997, World Wetlands Day has been used to:

  • raise public awareness of wetland values and benefits
  • promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

Join in on the day. Attend a seminar or festival, help with a revegetation project, go on a bird walk, and discover the many ways that you can take action in your own home and in your community.

Wetlands action for people and nature

This years theme, ‘Wetlands action for people and nature’, highlights the importance of cultural values, stewardship and management activities that are undertaken at Australia’s Ramsar listed wetlands.

The stories in the two editions of Wetlands Australia for 2022 show the good work that people across the nation are taking to value, understand and protect Australia’s amazing wetlands.

The role of wetlands

Wetlands are important for water security, wellbeing and culture. They play a role in:

  • clean water
  • water supply
  • ecosystem resilience
  • sustainable livelihoods and jobs
  • biodiversity conservation
  • storm protection
  • carbon storage
  • climate change adaptation
  • health and well-being
  • tourism and recreation

For further details:

  • Wetlands and Water

History

Australia was one of the 5 founding nations to sign the Convention. We also designated the world’s first Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar wetland) under the Convention. This was the Cobourg Peninsula, Northern Territory, in 1974.

Australia continues to play an important role. We help manage and implement the Convention, internationally, in the Oceania and in Australia.

Australia has 66 Ramsar wetlands, covering every state and territory. They cover more than 8.3 million hectares.

Iconic Australian sites include:

  • Kakadu National Park (NT)
  • Roebuck Bay (WA)
  • Gippsland Lakes (Vic)
  • Moreton Bay (Qld)
  • Blue Lake (NSW)
  • Macquarie Marshes (NSW)
  • Coorong (SA)

Worldwide, there are 170 Contracting Parties to the Convention and over 2,400 listed Ramsar wetlands.

Ramsar Secretariat resources

World Wetlands Day  2 February 2022

The Ramsar Convention Secretariat has developed a number of downloadable World Wetlands Day materials for 2022, including posters, a power point presentation, fact sheets and logos. These materials can be found on the Ramsar Convention Secretariat’s World Wetlands Day 2022 website. Groups and individuals are encouraged to adapt these materials for their own World Wetlands Day events and activities throughout the year.

World Wetlands Day materials

  • Wetlands Australia - National Wetland Update
  • Wetlands fact sheets
  • Celebrating Australia’s wetlands: A showcase of Australian Ramsar sites
  • Celebrating Australia’s wetland science: World class research for wetlands
  • Virtual tours of Australian Ramsar wetlands
  • Discovering wetlands in Australia – a primary classroom resource
  • Australia's amazing wetlands- brochure
  • Australia's amazing wetlands - video
  • Australia's wetlands photo gallery on flickr

Ramsar Convention 50th Anniversary resources

Fact Sheet

  • Celebrating 50 Years of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Postcards

Barmah Forest, Vic (PDF - 304.13 KB)
Cobourg Peninsula, NT (PDF - 314.16 KB)
Hunter Estuary, NSW (PDF - 315.39 KB)
Kakadu, NT (PDF - 316.43 KB)
Moulting Lagoon, Tas (PDF - 273.44 KB)
Peel-Yalgorup System, WA (PDF - 288.33 KB)
The Coorong, SA (PDF - 281.17 KB)

Posters

Eastern Australia (PDF - 724.12 KB)
External Territories (PDF - 976.69 KB)
Murray-Darling Basin (PDF - 757.45 KB)
Northern Australia (PDF - 735.95 KB)
Southern Australia (PDF - 756.56 KB)
Southern Western Australia (PDF - 701.3 KB)
Tasmania (PDF - 763.97 KB)

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Last updated: 01 February 2022

© Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.