Wise use of wetlands
The Convention on Wetlands, known colloquially as Ramsar, set the scene for conservation to aim for sustainability and wise use. How do you work towards that around your visitor centre?
Wetland site management
Wetlands are dynamic areas, open to influence from natural and human factors. In order to maintain their biological diversity and productivity and to allow wise use of their resources by human beings, some kind of overall agreement is needed between the various owners, occupiers and interested parties. The management planning process provides this overall agreement (Davis 1993). In other words, the management plan provides the basis for maintaining the ecological character of a wetland and to allow wise use of the resources by the owner and/or agreed users.
In developing a management plan the following issues need consideration:
Managing wetlands handbook
The Ramsar Convention's Frameworks for managing wetlands
of international importance and other wetland sites.
CEPA for wetland managers
The Ramsar Convention's brief guidance to assist site managers in using CEPA tools to assist in effective site management.
EAAFP paper for site managers
Benefits and Expectations of the
East Asian–Australasian Flyway Site Network.
Living Lakes Academy
A free online programme with flexible study or work-based curriculum to gain skills on lake and wetland conservation.
Freshwater restoration
A professional guide for organisations considering participatory approaches to restoring streams. Part of the MERLIN project.
Global Peatlands Initiative
Resource library from the Global Peatlands Initiative. Includes IUCN peatland documents, restoration resources, declarations, COPs summaries etc.
Wetland management game
Parks & Wildlife Finland made this addictive online game. Kosteikko-peli is available in English, Finnish, and Swedish. You learn to balance financial income and expenditure with biodiversity support and growth.
Wetland City accreditation
Why and how to become an accredited Ramsar Wetland City. A website with videos and infographics for Latin America and the Caribbean but useful everywhere.
Wetland Knowledge Exchange
Open resources on wetland management, conservation and reclamation. Resources are Canadian centered, but useful in other contexts.
Introducing Rights of Wetlands
This animation gives voice to wetlands and encourages individuals, communities and governments to take action for their rights. It was made in collaboration with design artist Giulia Bavagnoli and animation artist Rosie S Miles.
Blue infrastructure design guide
WWT has co-produced this guide for property developers on how wetlands can be built into housing developments from the start.
Youth role in Convention on Wetlands
The Convention on Wetlands has a national focal point role for people aged 18 to 35. This video explains the expectations and process, with print versions in French and Spanish.
Convention on Wetlands 101
A webinar answering all the most common questions about the Convention on Wetlands, made by the Convention's Secretariat with the World Wetland Network
Pacific Americas Flyway Youth Forum
One of three Flyway Youth Forums around the world, this one for Pacific Americas in English and Spanish has recordings on YouTube and a summary report to read.
Youth Engagement for Inclusive Ocean Governance
Youth Engaged in Wetlands is a contributor to this guide to meaningful and inclusive youth engagement in ocean science and governance.
Local people
Non-government organisations and community groups contribute significantly to the education of the broader community about wetlands through publications, websites and teaching resources and through participation in awareness-raising and capacity building events and activities.
Training farmers at Candaba - Philippine
The Flock Project - New Zealand
Qupałuk Flyway Network Site - Alaska, USA
Peel-Yalgorup System - Australia
Daursky Nature Reserve - Russia
Daurian steppe region - Russia
CEPA activities by BANCA - Myanmar
Bird Watching Society - Hong Kong
International Cooperation in Bird Studies - Russia, Germany, USA
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