The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

World Wetlands Day 2001: Australia

1^st March 2001

Delmar Blasco
Secretary-General
Ramsar Convention Bureau
rue Mauverney 28
1196 GLAND
SWITZERLAND

Dear Delmar,

I would like to thank you for the support and resources provided by the Bureau for World Wetlands Day (WWD) celebrations in Australia, 2001. The announcement on your website of the three new Australian Ramsar sites and the extensions to four existing sites, and the advertisement of our WWD postcard on your web site were very much appreciated. I am happy to report that the series of Ramsar posters proved very popular and were used as the major display within Environment Australia during World Wetlands Week. I have enclosed some photographs as illustrations of their use.

I would also like to take this opportunity to report on the success of WWD and the following week. Australia had a large number of National Launches on WWD. These included:

• the announcement of Australia's new Ramsar Sites;
• the launch of the 3rd edition of A Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia;
• the launch of the National Wetland CEPA Action Plan; and
• the launch of the Asia Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy 2001-2005 and Shorebird Action Plan.

During the following week Environment Australia hosted a seminar series on a number of Wetland related topics. A large number of events were also held across Australia, largely hosted by community groups and State Government agencies. I have enclosed a copy of the timetable of events and activities for your information.

I have also enclosed a copy of the 3^rd edition of A Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia. The Directory provides a comprehensive inventory of Australia's nationally important wetlands. A database version was also launched on WWD and is accessible at: http://www.environment.gov.au/water/wetlands .

I understand that a copy of Australia's CEPA plan has already been forwarded to the Bureau. It is also available through our website at: http://www.environment.gov.au/water/wetlands/publications.htm

Australia is looking forward to reporting on its continuing commitment to wetlands conservation in its National Report to COP8, which will be submitted later this year.

Your sincerely,

Alison Russell-French
Assistant Secretary
Marine, Coasts and Wetlands Branch
Environment Australia

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Bureau, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ramsar@ramsar.org). Posted 20 March 2001, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.