February 2 is World Wetlands Day

There are people all over the world working for wetlands. On World Wetlands Day, celebrated on February 2 each year, these people collectively stand up and proclaim the benefits of wetlands.

Why February 2?

On February 2, 1971, countries around the world came together and signed the Convention on Wetlands (an Intergovernmental Treaty) - the first ecologically focused convention – Ramsar, Iran. Since then, 158 countries have signed the Treaty, including the U.S., and 169 million hectares of wetlands (1828 sites) have been designated as Wetlands of International Importance. In the U.S. there are currently 25 designated sites. The U.S. National Ramsar Committee (USNRC) was formed to support the goals and objectives of the International Convention on Wetlands.

International Celebrations for WWD

Each year since 1997, the Ramsar Secretariat, with generous financial assistance from the private sector Danone Group, has offered a new selection of posters, stickers, videos, pocket calendars, leaflets and information packs free of charge and has suggested a unifying theme for the benefit of those who wish to use it. To learn more about what people all over the world are doing to celebrate World Wetlands Day, log on to www.ramsar.org.

Why should you care about wetlands?

There is a connection between a healthy wetland eco-system and human health.
In the developing world, 1 in 5 people do not have access to clean drinking water. Poor management strategies that support the health of wetland eco-systems can affect the health of humans, with wetland-related diseases claiming the lives of 3 million people each year and bring suffering to many more. It is estimated that 1.4 billion people live in water basins where water uses exceed sustainable levels.

The 2007 Chesapeake Bay Foundation "State of the Bay" reports the health of the Chesapeake Bay once again scored a "D." Nitrogen and phosphorus pollution from heavy spring rains, agriculture, and urban development have worsened the Bay's health. In Maryland, there has been a 73% loss of wetlands since the 1700's (Dahl 1990). According to Dahl, Ohio had lost 90% of its wetlands; Delaware has experienced a 54% loss; Pennsylvania a 56% loss; and Virginia a 42% loss in wetlands since the 1700's.

Make your own connection by learning the facts about the benefits of wetlands. In the United States, the Cypress Swamps (swamps are one of many wetland types) in Florida can remove 98% of the nitrogen and 97% of the phosphorus pollution preventing contamination in the groundwater. In the city of Petaluma, California, about 30 acres of wetlands will be created as part of the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility.

"The wetlands provide a low-cost way to treat the community's wastewater, while simultaneously functioning as a quality wildlife sanctuary, with public access, as is done at the successful and popular Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary." (City of Petaluma, California)

We can all make a difference by making the connection
- because wetlands work for us, we need to work for wetlands!
By restoring, creating and protecting wetlands, we can improve the health of our local, national, and international waterways.  Make a pledge to learn more about the functions and values of wetlands on World Wetlands Day. Join in the international celebration! 

To learn more about World Wetlands Day visit  www.ramsar.org and www.ramsarcommittee.us