World Wetlands Day

There are over 84,000 hectares of wetland in Northern Ireland, areas such as Fairy Water Bogs, Co. Tyrone or Belfast Lough. Much of the water we drink every day originates in such areas which are also home to a vast number of species of plants and animals. 

Every year, 2 February marks World Wetlands Day, a day set aside to celebrate and raise awareness of the World's Wetlands.

The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, 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.

Wetlands are among the world’s most fruitful areas for bio-diversity with huge numbers of species deriving from wetland areas. They are also crucial for the survival for approximately half of the human population, with the food staple, rice, growing in wetland areas. 

We have been involved in several events to promote World Wetlands Day. In 2007 we particpated with other government agencies and NGOs in a week long roadshow as the Wacky Wetlanders  visiting schools and groups across Northern Ireland, raising awarenss of Wetlands.

In 2006 we also worked with other agencies in building a special wetland area for An Droichead Primary School in Belfast.

If you would like more information on the protection of wetlands visit: www.ramsar.org