WLI Bulletin March 2026
Welcome to the latest WLI World newsletter!
How was your World Wetlands Day? The theme is Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage and we see that is some of the stories in this edition. But February was also a month of flooding in part of Asia, Europe and Africa, so we send our best wishes to the WLI members who couldn’t contribute to this edition. The two topics meet in the traditional appreciation of wetlands as a safe place, and our need today to communicate how wetlands buffer and store water in extremes.
You might notice some changes in how the newsletter looks this time, and those of you who contributed have already experienced that we have a new production system. For us in the core team we now have a more streamlined process, I hope without adding to your workload as contributors! Feedback welcome to wli@wwt.org.uk.
On the WLI website you can find our summary of the year past for the core team: What WLI did in 2025. Find it on the News page of the WLI website, to read about the WLI Star Wetland Centres, the third round of the WLI Small Grants, and more.
Matuku Link Wetland Festival Bigger than Ever!
Photos by Stefan Marks
Matuku Link
Matuku Link in West Auckland, New Zealand celebrated World Wetlands Day 2026 with a Wetland Festival which attracted 600 people of all ages from all over the region.
Read the full story
Matuku-hūrepo Mania in Aotearoa New Zealand
Matuku-hūrepo in a Northland Wetland, Love Bittern Project
The Love Bittern Project
In saving Matuku-hūrepo a large stocky wetland bird just one step from extinction here in Aotearoa New Zealand we are also helping to save our wetlands and freshwater habitats.
Read the full story
Mongolia Celebrates World Wetlands Day 2026
Group photo
Chukh bird research center
Chukh Bird Research Station of the MBCC launched a dedicated initiative to promote and celebrate World Wetlands Day more actively and sustainably, in collaboration with the Mongolian Biodiversity Future Foundation.
Read the full story
Celebrating the World Wetlands Day 2026 at the Sundarbans region of Bangladesh
@BEDS
BADAPATH-A Mangrove Museum and Learning Center
Celebrating the World Wetlands Day 2026-Wetland and Traditional knowledge: Cultural Heritage at the Sundarbans region of Bangladesh
Read the full story
Children of the Sundarbans Celebrate Their Wetland Home
Young participants proudly display their artwork themed on wetlands during the World Wetlands Day celebration at the Coastal Biodiversity Conservation Centre. Credit: Photo by Surajit Singh Mahapatra, Project Coordinator, SEED
Coastal Biodiversity Conservation Centre, Ghoramara
100 children from climate-vulnerable islands in India’s Sundarbans led a vibrant World Wetlands Day celebration, combining art, storytelling and community action to protect their wetland home.
Read the full story
Alue Naga Wetland: An Emerging Stopover Site for Migratory Waterbirds along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway
The Asian Openbill engaging in foraging activity at Alue Naga Bird Research and Birdwatching site. Photo by Tedi Wahyudi.
Alue Naga Bird research and Birds Watching
In October 2025, Alue Naga Wetland recorded 200 Asian Openbill, confirming its importance along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway as a vital feeding and roosting site for migratory waterbirds.
Read the full story
Celebrating World Wetlands Day 2026: Bridging Science and Tradition for Wetland Conservation
Group Photo for the Ceremony: Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society (SWCS) Management, Environmental Protection Department (EPD), Remajaya Sdn Bhd, Pacos Trust, Darau Wetland Eco-Tourism, Nature Inspiration Art Gallery, SMK Likas, SMK Taman Tun Fuad and SMK Bandaraya (Photo by Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society, SWCS)
Kota Kinabalu Wetland Ramsar Site
World Wetlands Day 2026 at Kota Kinabalu Wetland Ramsar Site celebrated cultural heritage, with strong community support, inspiring speeches, and a call to protect wetlands for future generations.
Read the full story
Passing the Torch: Our Joyful Return to Lead the Lujiao Creek Wetland Course
Thrilled to be back at our favorite place! Instead of just observing, my fellow alumni and I proudly designed and led a special environmental education course for the younger students.
Lujiao Creek Constructed Wetland Junior Water Environment Patrol Team
Discover how returning alumni inspire young patrol members at Lujiao Creek Wetland! Through immersive role-playing games and hands-on science, the next generation learns to protect their local ecosystem.
Read the full story
International recognition of DANAPURE on Word Wetlands Day
DANAPURE
Liceo Taller San Miguel
DANAPURE wetland at Liceo Taller San Miguel received recognised by National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity in Mexico.
Read the full story
Salinas y Arenales Regional Park Exhibition Hall, San Pedro del Pinatar
The Las Salinas Visitor Centre has two new exhibition rooms, one dedicated to the Mar Menor and the other to the Regional Park.
Read the full story
A special group of people
Pheasant-tailed jacana conservation park
Pheasant-tailed jacana conservation park
Guiding clergy to appreciate birds and nature.
Read the full story
Santay, an Inhabited Wetland: Culture and Community Amid Restricted Accesses
Exhibition: Santay – Living Wetland, Inhabited Wetland Based on local research, this exhibition presents the mammal species recorded on the island and highlights the relationship between science and community.
Observatorio de Santay
The Observatorio de Santay continues its cultural and scientific work despite restricted access, sustaining exhibitions, research and community dialogue within an inhabited wetland facing structural challenges.
Read the full story
WLI members in the media
Voices of Blue Peace Middle East: This podcast in Arabic celebrates Azraq Wetland Reserve, including their WLI Star Wetland Centre status. Azraq Water Oases: The Story of Nature and Water Between the Past and the Present | واحات الأزرق المائية: حكاية الطبيعة والمياه ما بين الماضي والحاضر • Voices of Blue Peace Middle East | أصوات السلام الأزرق في الشرق الأوسط
Yale E360 profiles WLI Star Wetland Centre Nyandungu Eco-Park, with the background and purpose to this centre in the accredited Wetland City of Kigali. Plagued by Flooding, an African City Reengineers Its Wetlands - Yale E360
Welcoming new WLI members
Since the last newsletter we have welcomed two new centres to the network. Find their profile on the WLI website to learn more!
Upward Living Centre of Rural African Matters, Kenya.
Aogu Wetland Ecology Exhibition Center of the Wild Bird Society of Taipei, Taiwan.