World Wetlands Day

World Wetlands Day is an annual international observance dedicated to the importance of wetlands, their rich biodiversity and the critical role they play in climate change adaptation and mitigation. The focus is to generate awareness about the value of wetlands for humanity and the planet. The observance underscores the need for global cooperation in safeguarding these unique ecosystems, which provide essential services such as water filtration, storm buffering, and biodiversity support.

World Wetlands Day was established by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971, and has been internationally observed ever since. New Zealand, famously characterized by a variety of stunning wetland dependencies from ecologically important marshes to estuarine systems, has been part of the Convention since 1976. For New Zealanders, the observance holds specific importance as the nation is home to numerous wetland sites that are of international significance. It also serves as a reminder of the continued efforts required to protect and conserve these ecosystems, bearing additional weight in light of the fact that over 90% of the original wetland areas in New Zealand have been lost to drainage and development.

Every year in New Zealand, World Wetlands Day is observed through a variety of activities including educational events, environmental clean-ups, and community involvement initiatives. These activities aim at highlighting the importance of wetlands and encouraging their conservation. Despite the global date of 2nd February, the specific New Zealand observance of World Wetlands Day may often take place on the weekend closest to this date to accommodate community participation. Despite these challenges, New Zealand continues to strive for the protection and restoration of these vital ecosystems.