Star Wetland Centre Award with WLI

The Star Wetland Centre scheme is only open to members of WLI. If you are not a member, apply to join! 

In this pilot  year, we are limiting the number of Stars we award, to represent as many Ramsar Regions as possible. 

We expect the questionnaire to take about 15 to 20 minutes to complete; however you will need extra time beforehand to gather supporting documents and photographs. 

No! The questionnaire is to inform the panel of how and why you work, while understanding that every situation is different. No matter how modest your circumstances, we welcome your participation! 

No, you can apply for WLI accreditation free of charge, just like WLI membership.

Please submit your application before 30 April 2022 at the latest. 

We will consider the applications in the months after that and aim to contact winners during July and August. 

We will send centres a plaque showing the Star your centre has won, to display at your centre. You will also receive a digital version which you can use online to share the news of your recognition. 

Most of the questions give you three options: yes, no, not applicable (n/a). Please be honest and accurate with your answers. The yes, no, n/a answers indicate something exists at your centre; you can suggest its quality or effectiveness with photos and brief descriptions. Please answer every question. Remember that if you create a website account you can save you application to return later. If you do that, make sure to check the saved answers and saved uploads are present.

You can chose to upload supporting documents, such as photos of your infrastructure or PDFs of certificates.

Please give these files names in this format:

SectionKeyword_QuestionNumber_CentreName.

It does not have to be exact, but it helps us keep track of everyone's application fairly.
Example: Access_5_Slimbridge_signs
OutsideResources_1_Mare-Tranquillitatis_multilingual
Formal_education_2_RiverStyx_virtual

Every section also has a space for you to elaborate on these uploads, but only briefly! Maximum 250 words.

Contact details.

250 words opening statement on your centre: Why is it important and deserves to receive this accreditation; please include size in ha, history, activities, achievements, who runs it etc.

Theme: Access

Are there direction signs off site (e.g. on approach to the centre, multilingual if appropriate)?
Do you have a website with clear directions and centre details?
Is the centre open to the public for most of the year?
Can visitors experience the wetland directly?
Are mobility aids available (e.g. wheelchairs)?
Are buildings and hides/blinds accessible to people with disabilities or restricted mobility?
Is there braille / clear signage for the visually impaired?
Are there audio guides for visually impaired people?
Is it family friendly (e.g. nursing station, baby buggies/strollers/pushchairs, play area)?
What age groups is the wetland centre suitable for?

Theme: Topics covered by the centre

Wetland species.
The importance of wetland habitats.
Humans and wetlands (local history and livelihoods).
Ecosystem services.
Earth sciences (geography, geology etc).
Threats to wetland habitats.
WLI / international wetland conservation.
Practical ways the visitors can help make positive change for wetlands.
Others (briefly list).

Theme: Types of visitor resources (outside)

Outdoor interpretation boards.
Multilingual information.
Boardwalks.
Hides/blinds.
Self-led interpretation (info boards and trails).
Led interpretation (guided walks, talks etc).
If live animal exhibits present, is there a policy on animal welfare or similar

Theme: Types of visitor resources (inside)

Dioramas or similar exhibits.
Audiovisual / Touchscreen facilities.
Regularly updated content for Audiovisual / touchscreen facilities.
Live webcam.
Are resources multilingual?
Library/research information.
Equipment (telescopes or binoculars for hire/use).
Other (shop, restaurant etc.).
Theme: Public programmes
Volunteer programmes.
Internships programmes.
Actively working with local communities and groups.
Activities for those with special needs.
Reaching out to under-represented groups.

Theme: Non-formal education

Guided walks and talks.
Formal talks.
Demonstration of bird-ringing / banding.
Bird counting / monitoring / census.
Animal feeding sessions.
Interactive sessions with children.
World Migratory Bird Day (May & October).
World Wetlands Day (2 February).

Theme: Formal education

On site sessions with students under 12 years old.
On-site sessions with 12-16 year old students.
On-site session for 16+ students.
Visits to schools and local groups.
Live streaming and virtual/online sessions.

Theme: Biodiversity management

Species/habitat monitoring.
Practical species/habitat management.
Bird migration research (ringing, satellite-telemetry, other techniques).
Other wetland research.

Theme: Website and social media

Visitor facilities, prices, directions listed.
Multilingual options.
Website is accessible for people with disabilities.
Wildlife sightings.
Suggested itineraries for visit.
Introduction to organisation.
Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / other.
Any other activities, programmes, partnerships, features or factors that we should know about?

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The website application form is the only way to submit for the Star Wetland Centre Award. This way, we can assess everyone fairly on an equal footing.

We hope the process of working through the application form also helps you analyse your centre and maybe see it in a new light, to help you do the best job possible.