World Wetlands Day 2008: reports page

What is World Wetlands Day? 2 February each year is World Wetlands Day. It marks the date of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. WWD was celebrated for the first time in 1997 and made an encouraging beginning. Each year, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and groups of citizens at all levels of the community have taken advantage of the opportunity to undertake actions aimed at raising public awareness of wetland values and benefits in general and the Ramsar Convention in particular. From 1997 to 2007, the Convention’s Web site has posted reports from more than 95 countries of WWD activities of all sizes and shapes, from lectures and seminars, nature walks, children’s art contests, sampan races, and community clean-up days, to radio and television interviews

and letters to newspapers, to the launch of new wetland policies, new Ramsar sites, and new programmes at the national level.

Convention on Biological Diversity. A WWD message from Dr Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the CBD, highlights the importance of this year's theme of "Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People" for the work of both the Ramsar and CBD Conventions and the many ways in which the two conventions are working together towards common objectives.

Danone Group. Catherine Schwartz, Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility Department, écrit: "Pour info, la radio France Inter a parlé ce matin de la Journée Mondiale des Zones humides. De mon côté, j'avais envoyé une info à CSR Europe, une organisation qui promeut la responsabilité des entreprises en Europe. Vous trouverez ci-joint leur revue de presse envoyée à tous les membres (voir page 3). Le site corporate de Danone devrait mettre en ligne à partir de demain une news également."

UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Audio clip: Mette Loyche Wilkie: As the International community celebrates the World Wetlands Day, 2 February 2008 , FAO calls for more awareness and actions to protect the coastal wetlands and the mangrove ecosystem, a precious shelter and source of life. In mp3 (Broadcast quality, 1,148 Kb to be downloaded) Duration: 1min36sec. ftp://ext-ftp.fao.org/Radio/MP3/2008/Mangroves-Wilkie-02-e.mp3 . Press release here.

Global Nature Fund. Every year since 2004, the Global Nature Fund has nominated the "Threatened Lake of the Year", announced on the occasion of the World Wetlands Day, starting with the Lake Chapala in Mexico. The African Lake Victoria followed in 2005, the Dead Sea in the Middle East in 2006 and last year the Pantanal wetland in South America was nominated. This year, in a press release signed by Executive Director Udo Gattenlöhner, the GNF and the Conservation Foundation for Rare Aquatic Species of Indonesia (RASI) are focusing on the Indonesian Mahakam Wetland as "Threatened Lake of the Year 2008". Here is the press release.

MedWet. For World Wetlands Day 2008 the Secretariat of the Mediterranean Initiative of the Ramsar Convention - MedWet in collaboration with a number of partners in Corsica and in Greece is launching a series of events. Included in this year’s program are a series of screenings devoted to the theme of water and wetlands as well as awareness raising activity launched with the public transport system in Athens, Greece. 1) Follow this link to read more about celebrations in Corsica; 2) Click here to read more about the film event in Athens on 4-9 February; 3) Follow this link to find out more about the film event in Athens on 20 February; You can read more about the awareness raising campaign launched with the public transport system of Athens here. Sofia Spirou, Communications Officer, MedWet Secretariat.

SPREP. The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) works to assist the Pacific islands countries that are Ramsar signatories to meet their obligations under the Ramsar Convention. SPREP also provides assistance to interested non-party Pacific Island countries in their efforts to lay the groundwork prior to joining the Convention. SPREP’s Associate Ramsar Officer, Vainuupo Jungblut, believes the Convention is a vital tool for preserving Pacific wetlands. Here is the World Wetlands Day press release.

UNEP-AEWA. “The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands celebrated the 11th World Wetlands Day (WWD) around the world on 2 February 2008. Taking into account the close relationship between the Ramsar Convention and the Agreement on the conservation of African-Eurasian migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) the AEWA Secretariat supported the event by encouraging participation in this celebration around the World. The global campaign aims to raise awareness on the importance of wetlands as vital ecosystems and the benefits they provide, such as fresh water supply, maintenance of biodiversity, flood control and others. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and groups of citizens at all levels of the community were encouraged to participate in this year’s World Wetlands Day." http://www.unep-aewa.org/news/news_elements/2008/wwd_ramsar_2008.htm.

Wetlands International. Alex Kaat, Communications Manager, has issued a WWD press release from Wetlands International detailing the importance of wetlands and clean water for human health.

Albania. Dr. Sajmir Hoxha, Director for Nature Protection Policy, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Waters Administration, Tirana, writes: "According to the annual program of the Ministry for 2008, World Wetlands Day was celebrated in Tirana and in Shkodra city. Activities were also organized in the framework of the trilateral project being implemented in the Prespa region in southeast region of Albania. . . . In the presence of the Minister of Environment Forestry and Water Administration, H.E. Lufter Xhuveli, both representatives of the Albanian Forum and Montenegrin Forum of Shkoder Lake signed the memorandum of collaboration in field of the protection of the Shkoder lake." Here is the brief report.

Algeria. Mr Souames Radouane, Association Ecologica de Skikda (Algérie), écrit: " à l'occasion de la journée international des zones Humides qui sera célèbre le 02 février de chaque année,et qui aura comme thème cette année Notre santé dépend de celle des zones Humides, l'association pour la protection de l'environnement tiens à vous félicité pour cette journée et s'engage à doublé ses efforts en direction des zones humides spécialement celle de Skikda et qui se situe à Ben Azouz à savoir le complexe des zones Humides de Guerbez Sanhadja, et ce pour qu'elle sera un réservoir de santé et de vie pour l'ensemble de l'humanité."

Argentina 1. Sara Beatriz Sverlij, Grupo de Trabajo de Recursos Acuáticos, Subsecretaría de Planificación y Política Ambiental, está escribiendo: "Estimados amigos: Envío este informe [PDF] sobre las actividades desarrolladas en Argentina para el Día Mundial de los Humedales 2008, elaborado desde la autoridad de aplicación de la Convención de Ramsar en Argentina (Secretaría de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable, Jefatura de Gabinete de Ministros, Grupo de Trabajo de Recursos Acuáticos). Saludos cordiales."

Argentina 2. Ing. Agr. Leandro Altolaguirre, Presidente de la Asociación ALIHUEN, está escribiendo: "En el contexto de la lucha encabezada por el lema “Justicia por el Atuel”, y en el marco de la celebración del Día Internacional de los Humedales (2 de Febrero de cada año), la Asociación Civil ALIHUEN y la Fundación CHADILEUVÚ, junto a la Cooperativa Popular de Electricidad, prevén organizar una muestra plástica cuyo eje convocante es el AGUA." Aquí.

Argentina 3. Eduardo Vallarino, Univ. Nac. de Mar del Plata, está escribiendo: "Les agradezco en nombre mio y del grupo integrante del proyecto 'La ciencia hace escuela en Mar del Plata' el apoyo que nos han brindado mediante el envío del material Adjunto les envío el informe final [PDF] de las actividades realizadas durante el 2/2 y la semana siguiente en el Museo Municipal de Ciencias Naturales de Mar del Plata. Espero que el informe sea de su interés y espero que ante cualquier duda o consulta me lo haga saber. Los saludamos cordialmente, Proyecto La ciencia hace escuela en Mar del Plata."

Australia 1. The Australian Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage, and the Arts has a Web site for World Wetlands Day in Australia that lists events nationally and by state or territory, and includes a form for registering your own WWD events on their calendar.

Australia 2. John Caven, Conservation Officer and Secretary, Field and Game Australia - Metropolitan Branch, in Victoria, has sent an illustrated report of a WWD celebration and bird nest box installation expedition at Hawkstowe Park, South Morang, Victoria.

Bahamas. Gail Woon, Earthcare, Freeport, Grand Bahama, writes: "On the Island of Grand Bahama in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, EARTHCARE in conjunction with the Grand Bahama Eco Tourism Association and the Ministry of Tourism set up a World Wetlands Day Exhibit in the post office in Freeport. The exhibit lasted from February 1st to March 6th. The exhibit and wetlands were featured on the television news several times in February. Thank you for furnishing us with the materials to do the exhibit. Many persons took copies of the brochures that you provided us with via the CD we received from you. Ecologically yours . . ."

Bangladesh 1. Raquibul Amin, IUCN-Bangladesh, writes: "Please check http://www.iucnbd.org/tangua/index.html. We have created this website on a Ramsar site management project in Bangladesh where IUCN Bangladesh is taking lead. You will find a news on WWD activity as well. The site is still under development and we would like to feed in news from the field and put some international news on Ramsar and wetland management." Here is the World Wetlands Day report taken from that site.

Bangladesh 2. Muhammad Shariful Islam, President, Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Society (NBCS), Dhaka, writes: "We have successfully celebrated WWD2008.This year we organized large-scale programs in Bangladesh. We celebrated WWD in 3 important districts in our country. These 3 regions are very sensitive and essential for wetlands conservation. We involve Go, NGO, local community and different level of people in our activities. Your support and encourage always inspiring me. I have disseminated my informative message and distribute t-shirts for raising awareness. I think this message will be very helpful for creating awareness for wetland conservation. I send you my message in attach file for considering to publish it with our WWD 2008 activities report web page."

Bolivia. Ing. Oscar C. Jimenez Vila, Tarija, está escribiendo: "Para la celebración de el día mundial de los humedales de el 2008 se pensó en hacer una actividad que pueda involucrar a el mayor numero de personas y de instituciones, para lograr impactar en la sociedad. Es así que decidí organizar una feria educativa e informativa sobre los humedales y la convención ramsar." Informe.

Botswana. The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) in the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism (MEWT) organised a number of activities to commemorate World Wetlands Day 2008, including included a International Wetlands Conference, a public panel discussion referred to as Environment and Development Dialogue and an official ceremony on World Wetlands Day (2nd February 2008) to celebrate wetlands and for Botswana to showcase the completion of the planning phase of the Okavango Delta Management Plan (ODMP). Anada Tiéga, the Ramsar Secretary General, and Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Honourable Onkokame Kitso Mokaila delivered addresses, and there were any number of festive events. Here is a very well illustrated report, and here is the text of the Secretary General's address.

Bulgaria. Elena Kmetova, Conservation officer, Federation of Nature Conservation NGOs, GREEN BALKANS (http://www.greenbalkans.org), Plovdiv, Bulgaria, writes: "Green Balkans is one of the biggest nature conservation organizations in Bulgaria with more than 4000 members and 250 active volunteers from all over the country. One of the priorities of the organization is wetlands conservation and sustainable development. We are working along the Black Sea coast, the Danube, and numerous inland water bodies. Therefore we annually organize events and activities to celebrate the World Wetlands Day. Please find information and pictures on the activities of Green Balkans related to the celebration in 2008 attached below. Please do not hesitate to contact me for further information or comments. We could also send you some of the materials and presentations we used, but they are in Bulgarian at present. We could translate them if you want us to. Wishing you a rewarding week."

Cameroon 1. Cameroon's third Ramsar site, designated for World Wetlands Day 2008, is the Partie camerounaise du fleuve Sangha (6,200 hectares, 01°50'N 016°02'E), part of the Lobéké National Park, located in the southeast of Cameroon and bordering the Dzanga-Sangha National Park of Central African Republic (CAR) and Nouabale-Ndoke in the Republic of Congo. Ramsar's Evelyn Parh Moloko provides further details, based on the Ramsar Information Sheet that accompanied the designation, with some photographs, here. Texts of the speeches and some photos.

Cameroon 2. Chi Napoleon Forpah, Watershed Task Group, Douala, sends a PDF report in English and French entitled "Traditional authorities in the Lake Ossa Complex, Dizangue, Cameroon, spearhead the celebration of 2008 WWD by creating traditionally protected zones to control fisheries recruitment and revitalizing the Hangabinda cultural rites and festival."

Canada 1. Paresh Pandya (Dr.), Faculty of Education, University of Windsor in Ontario reports on WWD activities at the University of Windsor and Hindu Mandir Windsor, here.

Canada 2. Marieka Chaplin, Environmental Scientist, AMEC Earth & Environmental, Fredericton, writes: "In recognition of World Wetlands Day four Grade 7 classes at George Street Middle School in Fredericton, New Brunswick, participated in PowerPoint presentations that showed images of New Brunswick wetlands, their delineation parameters, and discussed the importance of wetlands and their functions worldwide. The students offered a range of interesting questions and comments, from: "is an ocean a wetland?" to "I thought there was only one species of duck". It was quite an enlightening time for all! The presentations were led by an environmental scientist from an environmental consulting company; AMEC Earth and Environmental."

Canada 3. Teresa Visser, Interpretive Specialist, Oak Hammock Marsh in Manitoba, sends the WWD programme for a 2 February celebration that included an art contest, films and slideshows, a puppet show, snowshoe walks in the marsh, and a Groundhog Day celebration as well.

Chile. Jose Luis Brito Montero, Equipo Museo Municipal de Ciencias Naturales y Arqueología de San Antonio, está escribiendo: "Como exitoso, se puede considerar la visita a conocer los ecosistemas denominados humedales, se puede considerar la invitación que realizo la Municipalidad de San Antonio, a través de su Museo Municipal de Ciencias Naturales y Arqueología y que se realizo el sábado 2 de febrero del presente, en el Día Mundial de los Humedales, instaurado en 1971 en la ciudad Iraní de Ramsar. En esta oportunidad se visitaron dos importantes humedales de la provincia de San Antonio: El Parque de la Naturaleza Desembocadura del río Maipo, en Santo Domingo y el Humedal Laguna de Cartagena. En la oportunidad y siendo trasladados en el bus de la Municipalidad de San Antonio y guiados por expertos del Museo, 31 personas entre turistas, funcionarios municipales y del Hospital y habitantes de San Antonio, conocieron algunas especies de aves acuáticas, migratorias, coipos y el funcionamiento de estos ecosistemas." Fotos.

China. Carrie Ma, Wetland Park Manager (Education), Hong Kong Wetland Park, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, writes: "I am pleased to inform you that the 5-months "World Wetlands Day" event was completed successfully. To promote the theme for World Wetlands Day 2008 "Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People", the Hong Kong Wetland Park of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong SAR Government organised a series of educational activiteis from October 2007 to February 2008. The events include drawing competition, writing competition, bird race, storytelling competition, paper-cutting workshops, wetland model group creation activities, celebration ceremony, fun fair and 5 exhibitions. To further promote message to the general public, we have also collaborated with the media to provide regular boardcast through the radio, TV in trains and buses, as well as providing weekly articles in newspaper. The event was a successful one, a total of 1,650 participants have been reached in close guidance through workshops and competitions. The exhibitions and media promotions have further reach widely to the general publics, as well as increase visibility of the WWD events. A detail report is updated and attached for your reference."

Colombia 1. Hector G. Morales B., Director Ejecutivo, Corpotibabuyes, está escribiendo: "Adjunto la programación a realizarse el día 2 y 3 de febrero de 2008, en la conmemoración del día mundial de los humedales 2008, "HUMEDALES SANOS, GENTE SANA".

Colombia 2. Edinson Tigreros Herrera está escribiendo: "Hola Valerie, en archivo adjunto [PDF] estoy enviando el informe de la celebración del Día Mundial de los Huemdales desarrollado en la MAdrevieja Videles Corregimiento de Guabas Muncipio de Guacarí."

Costa Rica. José Millán Araujo, PRIGA-UNA, Es un gusto saludarlos y aprovecho la oportunidad a fin de solicitarles le den difusión a la nota anexa sobre el Día Mundial de los Humedales el cual fue celebrado el pasado 8 y 9 de febrero en la Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica y Organizada por el Programa Interdisciplinario de Investigación y Gestión del Agua (PRIGA). Esta es la primera vez que el PRIGA, junto con instituciones publicas, grupos organizados, estudiantes y publico en general desarrolla este tipo de actividades orientadas a difundir la importancia de los Humedales y la necesidad de protegerlos y hacer un uso adecuado de los recursos presentes en los mismos. Agradecemos la publicacion de la nota enviada y cualquier observación al respecto estamos a su disposición.

Cuba. MsC. Frank A. Ocaña Borrego, Investigador, Departamento de Recursos Naturales, Centro de Investigaciones y Servicios Ambientales y Tecnológicos de Holguín, está escribiendo: "En estos momentos le estoy enviando adjunto nuestro reporte sobre las actividades por el Día Mundial de los Humedales. Agradecemos sinceramente que la Convención no haya enviado los materiales para apoyar la realización de tales actividades." Informe (PDF).

Ecuador. Veronica Yepez of C-CONDEM posted a press release on the Ramsar Forum in English and Spanish, connecting this year's WWD theme with the health of Ecuador's mangroves: "Es por ello que los pueblos ancestrales del ecosistema manglar reunidos en la C-CONDEM (Coordinadora Nacional para la Defensa del Ecosistema Manglar del Ecuador) hacemos un llamado a todos y todas para promover la recuperación y conservación comunitaria de este ecosistema al que nos hemos vinculado desde tiempos inmemoriables y lo manejemos en beneficio de nuestras comunidades, garantizando el derecho al trabajo y la soberanía alimentaria. Estamos convencidos que en el Ecuador “SIN MANGLAR NO HAY PATRIA”. Nuestro ecosistema garantiza nuestra vida."

France 1. Superhuman is the word that springs to mind to describe the coordinating efforts of the Pôle-relais “zones humides intérieures” in France (roughly translated means the coordinating unit for the inland wetlands network). In past years they have done a great job of collating all the activities going on in the network and making actors feel a valued part of a national campaign, and this year is no exception. Here is a list of 215 World Wetlands Day activities taking place throughout France. Bravo la France! (Thanks to Marine Font from the Fédération des Parcs naturels régionaux de France for this information.)

France 2 (Corsica). For World Wetlands Day 2008 the MedWet Secretariat in collaboration with the Office de l'Environnement de la Corse are launching a celebration in Corsica. On 2 February a number of films on water and wetlands are planned to be shown in different cities across the island of Corsica. The Office de l'Environnement de la Corse (OEC) has been working to assist the wise management of wetlands, and for the past five years the OEC has been coordinating celebrations for World Wetlands Day across Corsica. This year the OEC chose film as a means for sensitizing the public on the value of wetlands. Aware of the annual Ramsar MedWet award crowning high quality films focusing on water and wetlands, the OEC addressed a proposal to the Ramsar Convention and MedWet for a joint film event. A selection of films has been chosen for this celebration of World Wetlands Day in Corsica: Rain is falling by Holger Ernst, Delta Oil's Dirty Business by Yorgos Avgeropoulos and The Water Bearer by Pascal Gelinas. You can read more about films that won the Ramsar MedWet award in the past here. (From the MedWet Web site) Here is a report of the events directly from Mauricette Figarella, Chargée de mission DIREN Corse.

France 3. The 70 outlets of Nature & Découvertes throughout France are holding WWD workshops for children on 6 February and using the Ramsar game: "E comme Eau, vive les zones humides ! Mercredi 6 février 2008. Juste un peu d'imagination et nous voilà dans la peau… d'une goutte d'eau ! Des nuages aux montagnes, de la mer au verre d'eau, un voyage fantastique pour mieux comprendre le cycle de l'eau. Un jeu rigolo pour étancher notre soif de connaissance sur l'eau et les zones humides. …En partenariat avec la Convention Ramsar. Gratuit, dès 7 ans. Inscription gratuite pour tous les enfants des adhérents Instants Nature accompagnés d'un adulte." (http://www.natureetdecouvertes.com/enfants/Ateliers.aspx)

France 4. Matthieu Cosson, Animateur - Chargé d'études, LPO Vendée - antenne du marais Breton (http://www.vendee.lpo.fr), La Barre de Monts, écrit: "Bonjour, en pièce jointe un petit compte rendu de la sortie JMZH. Merci pour toutes les infos et la communication sur cette journée. Cordialement."

France 5. Ramsar's Tobias Salathé writes: "The French Region Alsace hosted an important WWD event on 2 February 2008. Danièle Meyer, councellor of the regional government, and Frédéric Deck, president of the NGO Alsace Nature, welcomed the 80 or so participants in the modern regional governmental building in Strasbourg, France. . . . The event was mainly convened to celebrate more than 15 years of transboundary cooperation in the Upper Rhine (Rhin supérieur, Oberrhein) floodplain area [and] the participants agreed on a time plan to crown these efforts with the designation of a Transboundary Ramsar Site by the time of Ramsar COP10, covering the natural parts of the Rhine floodplain (nearly 50,000 hectares remaining after the important channelization and drainage works in the 19th century) along the 160km river stretch between Basel and Karlsruhe. Here's his report, with photos.

France 6. International World Wetlands Day Seminar at Annecy Lake in France. Fifty years ago, the declining water quality and fish catch of Lake Annecy in France led to the creation of SILA (Syndicat Mixte du Lac d’Annecy, www.sila.fr ), a common public structure of the shoreline municipalities around the lake (originally they were 8 communes, now 114 communes in the water catchment have adhered). World Wetlands Day 2008 was the occasion for this organisation, responsible for waste and waste water treatment and for the water quality of the lake, to organize an international seminar together with the UNESCO and World Meteorological Organisation HELP initiative “Hydrology for the Environment, Life and Policy”. Ramsar's Senior Advisor for Europe, Tobias Salathé, was present on WWD and provides this brief report.

France 7. Editorial, Forum: La lettre des marais atlantiques, janvier 2008, page 1: Notre santé dépend de celle des zones humides, par Alexia Dufour, attachée aux affaires régionales, Secrétariat de la Convention Ramsar.

France 8. Didier Lavrut, Vice Président, Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux de Franche-Comté, écrit : " Voici quelques lignes sur l'animation réalisée par mes soins (Didier Lavrut , LPO Franche-Comté , France) en Bresse jurassienne (commune de Commenailles (39) et Desnes (39)). -- Ce matin en compagnie de 5 personnes (dont 4 de la LPO Franche-Comté), sortie sur les étangs de la Bresse Jurassienne dans la cadre des Journées Mondiales des zones Humides avec comme but "Recherche des anatidés hivernants" . Nous avons pu observer de nouveau l'aigrette garzette sur l'Etang au Roch (commune de Commenailles) en compagnie de 67 grandes aigrette minimum. (il s'agit probablement du deuxième cas d'hivernage de cette espèce dans notre région).Elle devait se trouver bien isolée au milieu des géantes .....Sinon sur les Etangs visités nous avons également eu l'occasion de rencontrer de nombreuses espèces d'anatidés hivernantes tels le fuligule milouin où le canard colvert. Lors de notre visite sur le site de Desnes (exploitation de granulat) une troupe d'une soixantaine de vanneau huppé s'est laissée admirée en vol ainsi que de nombreuses sarcelle d'hivers."

France 9. Florence Bachelet, Conservatoire des Espaces et Paysages d'Auvergne, écrit: "Bonjour Valérie, La JMZH s'est bien passée dans le Cantal, je vous transmets en PJ le compte rendu imagé de cette journée. Merci encore pour votre implication. Bien cordialement."

France 10. Julie Brémond, Conseil général de l'Hérault, Pôle Environnement, eau, cadre de vie et aménagement rural, Direction de l'eau et des milieux aquatiques, Service Gestion patrimoniale de l'eau et structures associées, écrit : "Bonjour, je vous prie de bien vouloir trouver ci-joint une présentation succinte [PDF] de la nature de la participation du conseil général de l'Hérault à cet évènement. Vous en souhaitant bonne réception, je suis à votre disposition pour tout complément d'information."

France 11. Valérie Cottereau, Chargée de mission animation / muséographie, Réserve Naturelle de Moëze-Oléron, Saint Froult, écrit : Voici un rapide compte-rendu de l'animation organisée par la Réserve Naturelle de Moëze-Oléron (France) pour la Journée Mondiale des Zones Humides 2008: Intitulé :Randonnée accompagnée " Les zones humides et nous : une longue histoire… ". Date :02/02/08 Lieu : De Montportail (Saint Froult) à la Réserve Naturelle (Moëze). Nombre de participants : 12. Brève description de l'animation : Après une présentation de la convention de RAMSAR et la JMZH, les participants sont invités à réfléchir sur la notion de zone humide et de leur impact sur notre santé. Puis la randonnée commence, et le groupe s'arrête à des points stratégiques (roselière, mare, marais, plage, haies et boisement humide, claires ostréicoles, prairies humides…) pour les observer et illustrer les commentaires de l'animatrice sur l'intérêt des zone humides et l'importance de leur conservation pour la santé humaine. L'exemple de la gestion de l'impluvium de la source d'Evian est donné pour illustrer la notion de gestion concertée. Lorsque cela est possible, le groupe observe la faune et la flore."

France 12. Sophie Gauthier, Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux, Délégation Vienne (http://vienne.lpo.fr), Poitiers, écrit : "Suite à nos échanges de la fin de la mi-janvier au sujet du jeu Ramsar que vous avez eu la gentillesse de nous envoyer, vous trouverez ci-joint le bilan de notre 6e Fête des oiseaux du lac de Saint-Cyr qui a célébré la Journée mondiale des zones humides. C'est avec un grand regret que nous avons reçu le jeu Ramsar deux jours après la fête mais il nous sera évidemment d'une grande utilité l'année prochaine. Cette année les enfants n'étaient cependant pas en reste car le jeu du Martin-Pêcheur était au rendez-vous. Il combine un jeu d'adresse et de questions qui font décourvrir aux enfants cette espèce plus en détail et plus généralement les milieux humides et les dangers (pollution, bétonnage, etc.) qui pèsent sur elles. Plus de 700 personnes ont répondu présentes à notre rendez-vous et nous nous en réjouissons. Vous souhaitant une bonne lecture de ce bilan, recevez à nouveau nos remerciements et nos chaleureuses salutations."

France 13 (Martinique). Bénédicte Chanteur, Chargée de Mission Scientifique, Parc Naturel Régional de la Martinique, écrit : " Je vous envoie en pièce jointe le rapport de l'action menée par le Parc Naturel Régional de la Martinique dans le cadre de la Journée Mondiale des Zones Humides. Cette manifestation, qui s'est déroulée le mercredi 13 Février 2008 (décalage de la date en raison du carnaval local et donc risque d'une moindre affluence), de 9h à 12h, était un atelier découverte de sensibilisation à la présence des Odonates sur le site de la Maison du Parc. "

France 14. Aurélie Grignon, Chargée de la défense des côtes, Communauté de Communes de l'Ile de Ré, Saint-Martin de Ré, écrit: " Vous trouverez ci-joint, le compte rendu [PDF] de la manifestation que la Communauté de communes de l'Ile de Ré a organisée à l'occasion des journées mondiales des zones humides 2008 pour valoriser son site Ramsar Fier d'Ars. Merci de bien vouloir le prendre en compte et l'insérer sur le site internet de la convention ramsar qui répertorie toutes les manifestation organisées à cet effet. "

France 15. Francis Guidou, Technicien Supérieur de l'Environnement, écrit : "La JMZH était programmée le samedi 2 février 2008. Pour valoriser au mieux les efforts mis en œuvre pour l'organisation, sur le site des étangs de COURVILLE, nous avons prolongé cet événement jusqu'au dimanche soir. Les animateurs : Aline ANTOINE du SIABAVE, J.Pierre DELOZANNE de Marne Nature Environnement et Francis GUIDOU, J.Luc LAMBERT, Rodolphe PARISOT et Michel MENKE de l'ONEMA." Rapport (PDF)

Georgia. George Magradze writes: "Dear Valerie, as we already infomed, for 1-4 February we were planing to organize eco-seminars and some activities in the schools of three villages in the areas of Kolkheti wetlands. Please, find attached some photos from these activities and also below find short report. We will be thankful if it will be possible to publish this short summary and photos on WWD web site. Thank you in advance for your assistance and for giving the inspiration to so many groups worldwide."

Germany 1. Ramsar's Tobias Salathé writes: "The French Region Alsace hosted an important WWD event on 2 February 2008. Danièle Meyer, councellor of the regional government, and Frédéric Deck, president of the NGO Alsace Nature, welcomed the 80 or so participants in the modern regional governmental building in Strasbourg, France. . . . The event was mainly convened to celebrate more than 15 years of transboundary cooperation in the Upper Rhine (Rhin supérieur, Oberrhein) floodplain area [and] the participants agreed on a time plan to crown these efforts with the designation of a Transboundary Ramsar Site by the time of Ramsar COP10, covering the natural parts of the Rhine floodplain (nearly 50,000 hectares remaining after the important channelization and drainage works in the 19th century) along the 160km river stretch between Basel and Karlsruhe. Here's his report, with photos.

Gabon. Her Excellency Mme Georgette Koko, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment, Nature Protection, and the City, made a WWD television address on 2 February on the values of wetlands and the importance of the theme of human health. She pointed to the decision by the President of the Republic, S.E. El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba, to create a network of 13 National Parks as a major step in achieving the wise use of wetlands in the country. Here is the text of her address.

Greece 1. Despina Michailidou, Nestos Delta and Lakes Vistonida and Ismarida Agency, writes: "First of all we would like to thank you for your immediate response in sending WWD material. On Friday the 1st of February our Agency with the help of many local authorities celebrated World Wetlands Day for 2008. More than 200 students came to the Lake Vistonida Information Center and had the chance to hear about the values of the wetlands, participate in environmental games, and then made groups for birdwatcing. At the end of the celebration the students let free four raptors that had been treated at the National Wild Animal Nursing Center. We are sending some photos from the events."

Greece 2. Eleni Makrigianni writes: "We celebrated for the 11th consecutive year the WWD in Evros Delta Visitor Centre on Friday, 1st February. The activities that took place were: Powerpoint presentation on "Healthy wetlands - Healthy People"; "Turtle" Handicraft; Competition with questions on the message of the day; Distribution of posters and stickers; and Guided tour in the wetland. 200 schoolchildren participated (from 5 schools of the area). The event was covered by 3 local and one national TV channel, local newspapers and radio stations. We reproduced the poster and the sticker "Healthy Wetlands - Healthy People", a copy of which is sent to you by post. Thank you once more for the inspiration on such a wonderful day."

Greece 3. Jamie Giannakas, National Park of Kotychi wetlands and Strofylias' forest Management Agency, writes: "First of all, I would like to thank you for posting us the WWD material at such short notice. We received it and managed to make the necessary alterations just in time for February 2cond! Also, I would like to send you an article to post on your website, regarding the events and activities that the Management Agency of Kotychi lagoons and Strofylia forest hosted at our Ramsar site on 02-02-2008. Thanks again for your invaluable help!"

Guatemala. La Actividad se desarrolló el día 04 de Febrero de 2008 a través del Programa AGENDA AMBIENTAL, sus conductores Lic. Jorge Alberto Ruiz Ordoñez, especialista en Humedales y Presidente de Events & Solutions S.A. Consultores y la Ing. Karen Aguilar, Asistente Técnico de la Fundación para el Ecodesarrollo FUNDAECO, es producido por La Fábrica.com (www.lafabricaonline.com) y se transmite todos los días lunes de 20:00 a 21:00 horas a través del Canal de Televisión VEA -Vida, Ecología y Ambiente- CANAL GUATEMALA, una ventana hacia lo nuestro, el cual se encuentra disponible a través de Cable TV en el ámbito Nacional y a través de www.jumptv.com en internet. Informe.

Hungary 1. In World Wetlands Day ceremonies held on 20 February 2008, Mr László Haraszthy, State Secretary for Nature and Environment Protection, announced the designation of two new Ramsar sites effective on that date. Borsodi-Mezoség (17,932 hectares, 47°44'N 020°54'E) is a Landscape Protection Area and Natura 2000 site, a large alkaline marshland on the bank of the river Tisza. Montág-puszta (2,203 hectares, 46°21'N 020°40'E) is part of a National Park located on the Hungarian Great Plain. In addition, one of Hungary's first Ramsar sites, Hortobágy, designated back in 1979, has been extended by over 8,000 ha. to 32,037 ha. Here are brief descriptions of the two new sites.

Hungary 2. Andras Schmidt writes: "Very late, but perhaps still better than never, I hereby send you a short report on the central event of WWD 2008 in Hungary, with some photos. World Wetlands Day was celebrated by the Hungarian Ministry of Environment and Water in the new visitor centre of the Hortobágy National Park. On this occasion, Mr. László Haraszthy, state secretary for nature and environment protection, announced the designation of two new sites to the list of wetlands of international importance, as well as the extension of a former site, the Hortobagy Ramsar site. To illustrate the new sites, participants had the opportunity to see a presentation on the Hortobágy National Park and a slide show on the Kunkápolnás marsh, the extension area of the Hortobágy Ramsar Site."

India 1. Dr. Narottam Sahoo, Senior Scientist, Gujarat Science City, Ahmedabad, writes: "Gujarat Science City in collaboration with Department of Biotechnology, Govt of India has established 10 DNA Clubs Schools in ten eco-regions of the state. The DNA Club schools are organizing activities in their nearest wetlands in their respective regions. The Science City organizes an illustrative poster exhibition on "Healthy Wetlands: Healthy People", screening of video films and slide shows on the above theme. School students are encouraged to participate in the sit and draw and quiz competition on the above theme to be held on this day between 11.00 hrs to 13.00 hrs (5 – 16 years age group)." The full story, and the customized WWD poster.

India 2. Rashmi Gangwar, CEE Himalaya, writes: "With technical inputs from CEE Himalaya and support from National Service Scheme (NSS) Uttarakhand State Council for Science & Technology (U-COST), Dehradun organised WWD 2008 celebrations on 2 February at Asan wetland in the youngest State of Uttarakhand in Indian Himalayan Region. More than 80 school and college students and 20 resource persons and personnel from several organizations took part in the event." Here is a brief illustrated report (PDF).

India 3. Dr Pramod Salaskar has sent information on two World Wetlands Day conferences, 2 and 3 February 2008, the first organized in Thane, Maharashtra state, by Enviro-Vigil, Thane; the Indian Association of Aquatic Biologists, Hyderabad; Thane Municipal Corp.; and Birla College, Kalyan, on "Conservation and Management of Wetlands with special focus on Thane Creek", the second in Mumbai, on "Urban wetlands", organized by the Maharashtra State Angling Association and the Aquatic Biologists association again. Here is the leaflet in PDF.

India 4. Jojo T.D., Program Officer (Education), Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Mullackal, Alappuzha, Kerala, writes: "WWD 2008 was celebrated as a wetlands festival in Alappuzha, Kerala, India. Alappuzha adjoins Vembanad, a designated Ramsar site (No.1214). The program was jointly organised by Community Environmental Resource Center of ATREE (www.atree.org), Kerala State Landuse Board Government of Kerala and the Kerala state office of WWF India. Around 600 participants attended the program which clearly was an eye opener towards wetland conservation needs. A number of programs related to wetland conservation were held. Please see the detailed report attached [PDF]."

India 5. Kedar Gore, Research Associate, TERI Mumbai, The Energy and Resources Institute, Navi Mumbai, writes: "We are glad to submit a detailed report of the event organised by TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute), Mumbai Office, to commemorate the World Wetlands Day, 2008, in Mumbai, India. As informed to you earlier, our event went off very well and TERI is satisfied with the outcome of the programme. The programme was also appreciated by the participating schools, their teachers and the students. We sincerely hope that the awareness generated due to this event helps in the preservation of wetlands in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. TERI is grateful to The Ramsar Convention Secretariat for its kind support extended for this event. We trust the organisation's support continues for TERI's future projects planned in the areas of wetland research and awareness. Looking forward to your feedback on the report. Kindly upload the report on the The Ramsar Convention Secretariat website.[PDF]"

India 6. Laxmikant Deshpande, Programme Officer, Centre for Environment Education (www.ceeindia.org), Aundh, Pune, writes: "Greetings from Centre for Environment Education, India. Please find the report of WWD event celebrated by CEE Central -- A 'Water Walk and Talk' was organized by Centre for Environment Education on February 1, 2008 evening to celebrate World Wetland Day at Katraj lake, Pune. The walk was attended by school teachers and led by Mr. Vijay Paranjpye, Head of Gomukh, a Trust involved in issues related to wetlands and sustainable water management. Many thanks for the education material sent by the Ramsar Convention. Hoping for positive and continuous interaction."

India 7. Chiranjibi Pattanaik, Senior Program Officer, Landscape Ecology Division, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology & Natural History, Tarnaka, Andhra Pradesh, writes: "Thanks for sending the WWD posters and stickers for our wetlands day celebration. Herewith I am sending a PDF file containing our celebration activities in Hyderabad, India, for uploading on your website. This is Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) initiatives for conserving the wetlands of India. Please feel free to ask any queries."

India 8. Goldin Quadros, Education Officer, WWF-India, writes: "Our office in Mumbai has been celebrating the Wetlands day since 1997, even this year we had two programs - one was a bird watching trail to a wetland called Niljay lake in Dombivili near Mumbai. The other was a visit to the mangrove wetland at Sewri in Mumbai. For both the trips we had an overwhelming responce with around 100 students and adults participating in the events."

India 9. Dr Sidharth Kaul, Director, Ministry of Environment & Forests in New Delhi, writes: "1. The national level celebrations of the World Wetlands Day, 2008 (WWD-2008) were held at the beautiful Pong Dam in Himachal Pradesh which is one of the identified wetlands under the National Wetlands Conservation Programme and also a 'Ramsar site'. It harbours more than one lakh birds, out of which 15 species are migratory. The magnificent setting of the wetland with the backdrop of Dholadhar ranges provides immense potential for eco-tourism in the area. 2. The celebrations for WWD-2008 were inaugurated by Shri Namo Narain Meena, Hon'ble Minister of State (Environment), Ministry of Environment and Forests, at Fatehpur near Pong dam. A number of dignitaries from the Central Government and Himachal Government participated in the celebrations. The MOS (Environment) also gave away prizes to various contestants of programmes held on the eve of WWD-2008 like painting, essay and declamation contests. A small brochure entitled "Protect wetlands of Himachal Pradesh" with messages from various dignitaries, was also released on this day."

India 10. Sarita Mehra, Secretary, Rajputana Society of Natural History (RSNH), Udaipur, Rajasthan, writes: "Rajputana Society of Natural History (RSNH) has celebrated WWD'08 in two districts of Rajasthan, India. These were Udaipur and Dholpur. In Dholpur it is for the first time. Details area there in the report. Due to large size of photographs we are not sending them but if you are interested then we do send them as per your directions."

Japan. Tomoko Oshima, Wildlife Division, Bureau of Nature Conservation, Ministry of the Environment, has sent a WWD report detailing events in a number of localities in Japan.

Kenya. Moses Chege, School of Environmental Studies, Moi University, writes: "I am grateful to submit my report. Any delay is due to a very difficult moment during post election crisis in the country. I apologise for any inconvenience."

Laos. Somsack Pongkhao writes: "IUCN Lao joined in this year's celebrations of Ramsar's World Wetlands Day, with the theme 'Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People'. Children from five schools gathered in Vientiane on Saturday to celebrate World Wetlands Day as part of campaigns to promote the wise use of natural resources. The event aimed to raise awareness of the importance of wetlands and highlighted the environmental significance of the Mekong basin, a habitat for many rare and endangered species including the Mekong Dolphin and the giant catfish. Country Representative of the World Conservation Union, Ms Latsamay Sylavong, said wetlands were directly associated with the livelihood of communities as the majority of people lived near rivers and relied heavily on fishing and agriculture." Read more here.

Lebanon. Sabina Llewellyn-Davies, Communications manager, TLB Destinations(www.tlb-destinations.com), and Nassim Yaacoub, program manager, CYCLAMEN, write: "Cyclamen has taken the opportunity of WWD to organize a trip to Aamiq, a wetland in the Bekaa Valley, aimed at raising public awareness of wetland values and benefits in general. This area is very important for both breeding and migrating birds since it is one of very few wetlands left in the intensely cultivated Bekaa Valley. Water surfaces, reed beds and endless surrounding fields and meadows can be discovered in this birdwatching area, located along a major migration route from Asia to Africa. Please see attached outing planned for World Wetlands Day. This is the first time such an event will take place in Lebanon to celebrate this special day. Unfortunately, there is now snow in the Bekaa valley and the trip has to be postponed - new date 1 March."

Liberia. Eunice N. Dagbe, Ramsar CEPA Focal Point, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Flomo Mulbah, Ramsar NGO CEPA Point, Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia (SCNL), have sent a report of their activities (PDF) for WWD 2008.

Madagascar. Dr. Rainer Dolch, Coordinator, MITSINJO, Andasibe, writes: "Please find attached our report on the celebrations of World Wetland Day [PDF], Feb 2nd, 2008, at the Torotorofotsy Ramsar Site, Madagascar. We would very much appreciate if the report would be published on the Ramsar Website soon. The report is in French, and we have added an English translation to be put on the web."

Marshall Islands 1. John Bungitak of the Environmental Protection Authority sends word that in Majuro, a community public awareness and consultation meeting was held at Ajeltake Community for the purpose of establish a community coastal conservation area in said village. There were over 120 people attending and many of the community youths actively participated. All last month, the weekly EPA radio program conducted interviews and dissemination of information related to Ramsar Convention in promoting wise use of the wetland resources. On Jaluit Atoll, there were successful school presentations, an education field trip, and lectures by the high school science teachers, with an art and essay competition for students. Here is the brief illustrated report.

Marshall Islands 2. Jailut High School (JHS): A number of activities to commemorate the Ramsar Convention on 2nd February or otherwise known as World Wetlands Day were planned during the week of January 30th to February 2nd. The JHS Environmental Health Club made a series of power point presentations to the schools in Jabwor. An essay and art competition was also given during the week proudly sponsored by the EPA. At the culmination of the WWD, some of the the JHS students were taken on a one day field trip to the Jaluit wetlands conservation area.

Mauritius. The Environmental Protection & Conservation Organisation - EPCO, a national environmental NGO in Mauritius, with the support of the students of La Gaulette State Secondary School including the local community of the village celebrated the Worlds Wetlands Day 2008. Here is a brief illustrated report.

Mexico 1. Carlos Eduardo Muñoz Cortes, CONANP, está escribiendo: "Adjunto algo de información y una nota sobre el evento del Día Mundial de los Humedales que celebramos en México en espera de que pueda colocarse en el Ramsar News: El pasado dos de febrero con presencia de conservacionistas de diversos estados del país el Secretario de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, Juan Rafael Elvira Quesada, encabezó junto con el Gobernador del Estado de Sinaloa, Jesús Aguilar Padilla, y el Comisionado Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas, Ernesto Enkerlin Hoeflich, la celebración del Día Mundial de los Humedales. . . . Esta ocasión, México incorporó 45 nuevos sitios al Listado de Humedales de Importancia Internacional de la Convención Ramsar, reafirmando su liderazgo en la materia y se consolida en el 2° lugar a nivel mundial en cuanto a número de sitios incorporados, al contar con 112 de ellos, 49 de los cuales se encuentran dentro de Áreas Protegidas." Más.

Mexico 2. Manuel De Jesùs Hernàndez Ancheita está escribiendo: "ACTIVIDADES de Productores, Pescadores y Acuicultores KAY PALENQUE; exalto el DIA MUNDIAL DE LOS HUMEDALES; realizando actividades con pescadores: Talleres para elaborar harina con desperdicios pesqueros y especies invasoras como el PLECOSTOMUS, se repartieron 70 copias de la nueva LEY GENERAL DE PESCA Y ACUACULTURA SUTENTABLES; estas se repartieron a Cooperativas Pesqueras, Cooperativas Acuícolas, H. Ayuntamientos Municipales, Dependencias de Gobierno, Instituciones Académicas, Comerciantes de Pescado y Publico en General; Acompañada de un mensaje para cuidar y proteger nuestros humedales." Informe (PDF), fotos.

Mexico 3. Manuel Navarro, Promotor de Cultura del Agua en Guaymas y Empalme, Sonora, está escribiendo: "Le mando información de algunas actividades que se hicieron durante el dia mundial de los humedales. P:D. Gracias, por el material enviado! Lo seguimos utilizando."

Mexico 4. Ing. Efrain Ruiz Arechiga está escribiendo: "A continuación encontrara información de la celebración de 'El Día Mundial de los Humedales 2008' celebrada en Ciudad Guzmán Jalisco este 2 de Febrero pasado en donde estuvo representada la Laguna de Atotonilco el Bajo situada en Villa Corona Jalisco México y Sitio Ramsar número 65 de México, y número 1607 Mundial. Estuvieron presentes en la celebración el Presidente Municipal de Villa Corona Miguel Reyes Gonzales, El Regidor de Atotonilco el Bajo Ing. José Isabel Hernández Soto, Ing. Efrain Ruiz Arechiga Secretario Técnico del Consejo Consultivo de Protección de la Laguna de Atotonilco; y varios acompañantes. (Se adjuntan fotografías al calce)"

Morocco 1. Mohamed Benata, Président de l'ESCO, écrit : "Dans le cadre de la célébration de la journée mondiale des zones humides, l'Espace de Solidarité et de Coopération de l'Oriental (ESCO) organise avec la collaboration de tous ses partenaires et des associations de l'Ecoloplateforme du Maroc du Nord, un atelier de réflexion sur l'identification des problèmes qui menacent le SITE RAMSAR de l'Embouchure de la Moulouya. Cet atelier, aura lieu a la Chambre du Commerce, de l'Industrie et de Service d Oujda le Samedi 02 février 2008 à 10H00. Cette Invitation est générale est s'adresse plus particulièrement aux citoyens et aux citoyennes qui désirent protéger le Site d'intérêt biologique et écologique de l'Embouchure de la Moulouya." Poster (PDF).

Morocco 2. Mme Hayat Mesbah, Chef du Service de la Conservation de la Flore et et de la Faune Sauvages, écrit: "Veuillez trouver, ci-joint, le rapport de la célébration de la Journée Mondiale des Zones Humides 2008 organisée par le Haut Commissariat aux eaux et Forêts et à la Lutte Contre la Désertification, point focal de la Convention Ramsar au Maroc. En vous souhaitant bonne réception, veuillez agréer mes meilleures salutations."

Nepal 1. Ek Raj Sigdel, WTLCP Field Manager, Dhangadi, writes: "To mark the World Wetland Day 2008, Western Terai Landscape Complex Project (WTLCP) - Dhangadi Office organized an interaction program in Kanchnapur, Nepal, on February 2, 2008. The interaction meeting was participated by some 30 people representing Eco-club members, political party representatives, journalists, civil society representatives and WTLCP staff members."

Nepal 2. Ramesh Raj Pant, Lecturer in Environmental Science, Janapriya Multiple Campus, Pokhara, writes: "Hello, on the occasion on World Wetland Day we organized a national seminar in our capital city of Nepal. Here I am sending some photographs of the major wetland areas of Pokhara valley, one of the major cities of Nepal." Here is a page of photographs of Pokhara wetlands and the PowerPoint presentation that Ramesh Raj Pant made on WWD on "Wetland management and sustainable livelihood in Pokhara Valley, Nepal".

Nepal 3. Mr. Deep Narayan Shah, Executive Chairman, Hindu Kush Himalayan Benthological Society (HKH BENSO), Kaushaltar, Madhyapur Thimi, Bhaktapur, writes: "Hindu Kush Himalayan Benthological Society (see www.hkhbenso.com.np) located in Bhaktapur organized programs (poster exhibition, Art and Essay Competition and National Seminar) on the theme "Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People" on the occasion of World Wetland Day 2008 in cooperation with Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), Kathmandu. The event was financially supported by World Wildlife Fund Nepal (WWF Nepal), National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), Lalitpur Sub-metropolitan City (LSMC) and Resources Himalaya." A full report is here.

Netherlands. Luc Hoogenstein, Coordinator Wetlands, Vogelbescherming Nederland (www.vogelbescherming.nl), writes: "It took a bit more time than expected, but hereby a summary of the Dutch WWD 2008. On WWD 2008, Vogelbescherming Nederland (1) organised a seminar to inform IBA-caretakers about the possibilities to participate in management plans for IBAs." Brief report.

New Zealand 1. "The weather was hot but the subject matter far from dry as around 80 people gathered in eastern Taranaki today (February 3) to mark World Wetlands Day. The venue was the Toko dairy farm of Mark and Leigh Caskey, where three wetland gully areas have been fenced to exclude stock and enhanced through the creation of open ponds and through riparian planting. Taranaki Regional Councillor Mike Davey told those attending the open day that the current hot and dry conditions emphasise the need to protect such wetlands, which are vital for the health of entire river systems especially when they come under such stress."

New Zealand 2. "Today is World Wetlands Day and the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand is calling on people to remember the importance of these areas. In the Manawatu, about 98 percent of the wetlands have already been lost, but the Manawatu River mouth and estuary is the latest to gain Ramsar status as an important wetland. The Manawatu Estuary is, in fact, one of the country's few remaining wetlands." Reprinted article by Katie Chapman in the Manawatu Standard, 2 February.

New Zealand 3. Simon Tuck, Community Relations Ranger, Rotorua Lakes Area Office, Department of Conservation, reports: "World Wetlands Day was celebrated in grand style at the Hannahs Bay Reserve. Fish and Game, New Zealand teamed up with the Department of Conservation (DOC), Environmental Bay of Plenty (EBOP), Rotorua District Council (RDC), More FM and the Hannahs Bay Restoration Group to celebrate. With a turnout of over 70 kids, plus their parents partaking in the arranged activities, there was a great festive atmosphere. Tree planting, story telling, displays of mounted native and pest wetland animals, guided tours and a "touch pool" for kids to get close and personal with some of the creatures that live in the Hannahs Bay Reserve, there was something for everyone. This year the day was aimed at kids as they are the ones who will be responsible for caring for the environment in the future."

Nigeria. Mrs A. Akinola, Education Officer, writes: "Please find attached the Report on the World Wetlands Day of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation on Tuesday 2nd & Thursday 7th of February 2008 with the theme Healthy wetlands Healthy people."

Pakistan 2. Naimat Ullah Khan, Coordinator, Lincoln Corner, Rangoonwala Community Centre, Dhoraji Colony, Karachi, writes: "On 02 Feb 2008, Lincoln Corner Karachi in collaboration with WWF Pakistan, Indus for all & The Citizen Foundation Pakistan (TCF) arranged a beach cleaning activity by TCF school children at WWF-Wetland Centre Sandspit Karachi to produce awareness about Wetlands & their Conservation & Protection. 30 student participated in beach cleaning activity accompanied by their teachers. The consolidated program included Art & Speech competition & a prize distribution ceremony for the winners a total of 1500 students participated in the program. The Chief Guest Ms. K. Anski, Consul General, US consulate Karachi at her speech congratulated the participants on this International Wetland Day, she told the audience about RAMSAR convention of 1971. She also told the audience the WWF use latest American technology in research and preservation in its wetland centre and laboratories. Participants in the beach cleaning activity enjoyed their field trip & participated in the whole events by Indus for all & WWF Pakistan. All participants were provided certificates of participation & Shields from WWF & LC Karachi. This event produced a collaboration of international organizations & US Government, with local government & NGO through Lincoln Corner outreach. Pictures of this event can be obtained from following link at our webgallery http://picasaweb.google.com/lckarachi1/WorldWetlandDayBeachCleaningByTCFChildrenWithWWFPakistanIndusForAllProgram.

Panamá. Eunith Gonzalez está escribiendo: "El Grupo para la Investigación Tecnoecológica y la Conservación (GITEC), en colaboración con el Grupo Avicennia Nítida, celebraron el Día Mundial de los Humedales en Panamá el día 16 de Febrero, con una jornada de educación ambiental que incluyó una sección de dinámicas y pintura, recorrido al sendero terrestre y un recorrido acuático en Puerto Limón, Corregimiento de El Pilón, Distrito de Montijo, el cual forma parte de la zona de amortiguamiento del Sitio Ramsar Golfo de Montijo." Informe y fotos.

Paraguay. "El tema sugerido por la Convención RAMSAR para el Día Mundial de los Humedales del 2 de febrero de 2008 es Humedales Sanos, Gente Sana, y también será ése el tema de la 10ª reunión de la Conferencia de las Partes en octubre-noviembre de 2008 en la República de Corea. La Fundación Oñondivepa se suma a esta campaña mundial, con la una actividad de concienciación "Yo cuido los humedales del Ypoa", bolanteada a realizarse el día Sábado 2 de febrero del corriente en la Plaza Gral. Díaz de Carapeguá- Paraguay." Informe.

Peru 1. Antonio Tovar Narváez, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima, sent what may be our first World Wetlands Day comic strip.

Peru 2. Antonio Tovar Narváez also sent the programa preliminar for a WWD conference, 1 February, hosted by the Ministerio de Agricultura, Instituto Nacional de Recursos Naturales (INRENA).

And a 28-page leaflet on WWD in Peru over the years (PDF).

Peru 3. Erick García está escribiendo: "El pasado viernes 01 de febrero, el Grupo de Trabajo Institucional sobre Humedales GTIH del Instituto Nacional de Recursos Naturales INRENA, ofrecieron un ciclo de conferencias el cual giró en torno al lema propuesto por RAMSAR para este año "Humedales Sanos, Gente Sana", con ponencias que trataron temas como los humedales artificiales y el tratamiento de las aguas residuales, las enfermedades causadas por el agua, tratamiento legal de los humedales en el Perú, entre otros."

/ "The last Friday 1st of February, the Institutional Wetlands Working Group GTIH of the National Institute of Natural Resources INRENA, organized a conference which was centered on the theme proposed by RAMSAR "Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People", the approached topics were: artificial wetlands for wastewater treatment, water-related diseases, wetland protection legislation, amongst others."

Peru 4. Coral Calvo Vargas, Asociación ANDES, Cusco, está escribiendo: "Ante todo, mil disculpas por enviar con retrazo nuestro informe, adjunto a la presente el informe de actividades realizadas en el Sitio Ramsar: Humedal Lucre - Huacarpay, para la celebración del Día Mundial de los humedales."

Philippines. To celebrate WWD, the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands (SCPW) had prepared a series of activities in February. 1. Forum on Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People in Tawi-Tawi , Mindanao (19 February 2008); 2. Advocacy outreach to Taguig lakeshore communities (23 February 2008); 3. Ecological Camp in Pangil, Laguna (27 - 29 February 2008). Details of the celebration and some photos can be viewed here.

Poland. Ewa Baraniewicz and Anna Marciniak, Warta Mouth National Park, write: "At Warta Mouth National Park, as every year since 2001, we were celebrating World Wetland Day at our headquarters on 3rd February 2008. We have prepared some activities and contests for local people, especially for kids, conducted both at the celebration day and after it, until the end of February. We started our activities in December 2007, when we announced an art contest titled: "Postcard from the Wetlands" for the youngest kids from primary schools located around the Park. From only few small schools we obtained over 350 works made by kids with support of their teachers. Surprisingly, we saw that subject of the contest was not an uniform, simple task because each child saw wetlands in a different way: as a place for waterbirds, as a place with a lot of water or where are spectacular willows etc." See the rest of this well-illustrated report (PDF).

Portugal. Ana Machado, Departamento de Educação Ambiental, Almargem - Associação de defesa do património cultural e ambiental do Algarve, Loulé, writes: "For WWD, our NGO, Almargem decided to do the following: 1) A translation for all the materials made available through our website. These include all the fact sheets, WWD08 poster, and also the activities for kids: the do it yourself turtles. All the materials have been available, via our website, since Feb 2nd, and will continue to be, until the end of this month. At the time, we sent information to all the schools in the Algarve, telling them that this material was available and is free to be used by any teacher or class. 2) At our environmental center, the "Centro Ambiental da Pena", we received kids from a local school, and we all had a lot of fun doing our turtles. In fact, we had so much fun, we couldn’t resist and took pictures of our turtles “in the wild” (we simulated in our garden a natural setting for them, with rocks and vegetation, as you can see from the pictures). The kids really loved it!"

Republic of Korea. Ms. Namue Lee, Public Awareness and Training Officer (PATO), UNDP/GEF Korea Wetland Project (www.koreawetland.org), writes: "I guess you must be busy due to Standing Committee. It's a little bit late...but here is the report regarding the World Wetlands Day 2008 in Korea. Also I attach some photos. Warm regards." Here is her brief illustrated report (PDF) on events in Seocheon and a Taean Oil Spill clean-up day organized by the UNDP/GEF Korea Wetland Project and the Ramsar COP10 Task Force Team.

Romania 1. Vasilica Pavel writes: "Greetings from the Gates of the Danube Delta! The kids from our school, COLEGIUL TEHNIC "HENRI COANDA", TULCEA, celebrated with real pleasure WWDay 2008. The turtle became a new friend and a source of inspiration for their works. The logo of 2 feb. 2008 RAMSAR's DAY was very well understood , but we must look very close in our children's eyes, everyday, not just in special occasions. The beautiful ideas for a better, well-behaviouring life must be a habit. Thank you for the materials you sent for another world-connecting activity! Friendly, Vasilica Pavel and her colleagues, Lina Constantin and Angela Marin."

Romania 2. Liliana Ivancenco, Head of Department of Environmental Education, Information, Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority, Tulcea-Romania, writes: "Please find attached the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority report on the activities organized for the celebration of World Wetlands Day 2008." The illustrated report (PDF) includes a letter to the world from the participating children.

Russian Federation. Svetlana Titova, Public Relations Coordinator, and Yulia Fomenko, Head of Communications, WWF-Russia, Amur Branch, sent this brief, illustrated report of the WWF Amur Branch's ambitious activities and publications for distribution all over the eastern part of the country.

Senegal. Charles M. Beye, Publications Officer, Wetlands International Africa Office, écrit: "A l'occasion de cette JMZH, Wetlands international, le WWF, l'UICN en tant que bras techniques et scientifiques de la Convention de Ramsar, s'associent au Réseau des Parlementaires pour L'Environnement pour attirer l'attention de l'opinion publique sur les enjeux liées à la conservation et à l'utilisation rationnelle des zones humides à travers l'organisation d'une conférence sur le thème " Santé des populations, santé des zones humides ". La conférence se tiendra le 5 février 2007 à 9h 30 à l'Hôtel Ngor Diarama sous la Présidence effective de Monsieur Macky Sall, Président de l'Assemblée Nationale et de Monsieur Djibo Leyti Ka, Ministre d'État, Ministre de l'Environnement, de la Protection de la Nature, des Bassins de Rétentions et Lacs artificiels." Communique de presse (PDF).

Seychelles. Lyndy Bastienne Corgat, Coordinator, Wildlife Clubs of Seychelles, Education Officer, Nature Seychelles, writes: "Kindly find attached the above report from the day's activities by Nature Seychelles and the Wildlife Clubs of Seychelles (WCS) staff and members; WCS is a youth environmental non-profit NGO, which promotes environment conservation through education. Many thanks for the document sent to us (we would wish to have some more posters for clubs if possible), it was really useful as you will see in the report." Here it is, with great photos.

South Africa 1. The Gumboot, the newsletter of the Working for Wetlands programme that is managed by the South African National Biodiversity Institute on behalf of the Departments of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, Agriculture, and Water Affairs & Forestry, has a round-up of 21 World Wetlands Day events scheduled around the country.

South Africa 2. Les Underhill, Director, Animal Demography Unit (http://www.adu.org.za), Vice-President, International Ornithological Committee Department of Zoology, University of Cape Town Unit, circulated this announcement: "Tomorrow, 2 February is World Wetlands Day --- the ADU's contribution is to launch the new website of the Coordinated Waterbird Count (CWAC) project. This is at http://cwac.adu.org.za. The development of the site was sponsored by SANBI. The main content of the site (found by drilling down from "CWC Data" on the left hand side menu) is a tribute to the hundreds of CWACers who have faithfully counted the waterbirds at wetlands. The site was designed by Michael Brooks at the ADU, and the CWAC project is coordinated by Marius Wheeler."

South Africa 3. Dinah Tshifura, Nature Conservator, Klerksoord TDK complex, Nature Conservation and Resort, writes: "Hi. We were celebrating Wetlands day in South Africa (Tshwane Nature conservation) today, with the primary children from disadvantaged communities. They did different activities such as species identification (using wetland poster that shows most wetland species), water testing, alien plants and clean up campaign. The learners learned the importance of the wetland and usage. Our theme in 2008 is Healthy wetland Healthy people."

Spain 1. María José Viñals, Directora, Oficina de Acción Internacional, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, writes: "I am sending to you some pictures about the celebration of the 2008 Wetland Day with the particularity that the Vice-President of the Spanish Government was present at the event. We celebrated the event in the Albufera de Valencia, organized by the Water Authority (Confederación Hidrografica del Júcar) with Maria Teresa Fernández de la Vega (Vice-President of the Spanish Government), Antonio Serrano (State Secretary for Environment of the Ministry of Environment), and Juan José Moragues (President of Confederación Hidrografica del Júcar). All of them are in the picture beside me. In the other picture are the Vice-President and the President of the Water Authority. Really a success to have so relevant personalities in this event. The Vice-President promised to launch a Mediterranean Wetland Centre under the umbrella of the Spanish Fundación para la Biodiversidad and she was really supportive in that."

Spain 2. Dr. Juan I. Deán, SCN Gorosti, SEO/BirdLife, writes: "Hello, As promised here is the information on the activities around WWD in our region. I am attaching documents including the program and other information around our activities. Just to add that these activities had an excellent coverage by municipal and autonomous government agencies. Actually the cycle of conferences and visit was promoted by the Museum of Environmental Education linked to Pamplona's municipality. Also they gained an very good coverage in the main radio stations, TV and newspaper as you can see in the attachment. Furthermore, a lot of interest was raised concerning the recovery and protection of an endangered wetland close to Pamplona the "Balsa de Loza" main subject for one of the conferences (on top of 200 bird species seen around 40 hectares). PS. By the way, all materials received, posters, stickers, CD's were quickly distributed among the people attending the speeches. Thanks for your support." Humedales de Navarra: refugios de la biodiversidad (folleto); "Humedales, joya de la biodiversidad"; Diario de Navarra; Nota de prensa.

Spain 3. "En el Parque Natural del Prat de Cabanes-Torreblanca, sito en la Comunidad Valenciana, en España, elaboramos el cuento que adjuntamos para celebrar el Día Mundial de los Humedales del año 2008. También deseamos agradecerles la excelente información que nos han facilitado tanto por vía electrónica como por vía postal. Reciban un cordial saludo."

Spain 4. Rafael Vega Pozuelo está escribiendo: "Buenos días.Tengo el placer de comunicarles las actividades de celebración del Día Mundial de los Humedales en los Humedales Ramsar "Lagunas del Sur de Córdoba" (Andalucía - España). Adjunto le remito la documentación necesaria para su publicación en los diferentes boletines. Si necesitan alguna información complemetaria, no dude en ponerse en contacto conmigo."

Spain 5. Silvia Saldaña, Asociación de Educación Ambiental El Bosque Animado, writes: "Here you can find the attached document "Informe Ramsar 2 de Febrero 2008 Córdoba - Spain". Please contact us for next year event. Thank you very much, In haste."

Spain 6. Eva Hernandez Sevillano writes: "We are part of a Spanish regional government agency (Consejería de Medio Ambiente y Ordenación del Territorio) that work on environmental issues of the region, the Comunidad de Madrid. In our department - Área de Educación Ambiental - we specifically work on environmental education through 11 centers that offer activities and educational programs related to environment across the region. Some of these centers usually celebrate World Wetlands Day since they are located in territories closely related to them. This year we have joined the Convention's suggested theme "Healthy Wetlands, Healthy people", as we wanted to participate on your initiative. We are sending you a report in Spanish with all the activities we prepared for it in February: some lectures, nature walks, children's games… to be uploaded to the Convention's website."

Spain 7. The Equipo de Promoción, Investigación y Trabajos Técnicos (PITTs), Parc Natural de l'Albufera, está escribiendo: "Estimados señores, adjuntamos la memoria de las actividades que realizamos en el Parque Natural de l'Albufera con motivo de la celebración del Día Mundial de los Humedales. Reciban un cordial saludo."

Sri Lanka. Sisira Kumara De Silva, Park Warden, Bundala National Park, Department of Wildlife Conservation, writes: "I am sending here the activities which we have done for the world wetlands day in Bundala National Park, Sri Lanka. More than thousand of people including school children and community people gathered to the park office for mark the wetlands day. Thank you very much for your assistance to do the activities successfully."

with photos .

Sweden. Ann Wahlström, Senior Administrative Officer, Aquatic Environment Section, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, writes: "Dear Ramsar secretariat, February is normally not the ideal month to attract attention to wetlands in Sweden. Lakes and streams are usually covered by ice and snow, mire vegetation has withered, and most wetland birds are long gone to their wintering grounds. Few activities in the field will happen this weekend to celebrate WWD, even though this winter seems to be exceptionally warm. At the moment temperatures below zero centigrade prevail only in northern Sweden. However, WWD is announced in brief at the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency website (in Swedish). And I am very pleased to inform you that the Swedish EPA has just performed what we call an in-depth evaluation of the environmental quality objectives "Thriving Wetlands", "Flourishing Lakes and Streams", and "A Balanced Marine Environment, Flourishing Coastal Areas and Archipelagos". Those interested can find out more about Sweden's 16 environmental quality objectives at www.miljomal.nu/english/english.php. The website will be updated with the latest information from the in-depth evaluation within short."

Switzerland 1. Organized by the Geneva State "Département du territoire", the 6th local edition of World Wetlands Day took place yesterday, Sunday 3 February 2008, on Geneva's lakeside promenade in front of the "Jetée des Pâquis". The Ramsar Secretariat was there, together with the Museum of Natural History of Geneva, and eight other Swiss and local NGOs who work for the conservation of Lake Geneva and its flora and fauna, to celebrate the event. Luck gave us a fabulous sunny day which encouraged hundreds and hundreds people to stroll along the lakeside, stop by and get involved in the many different activities proposed; a very friendly, relaxed and multicultural atmosphere with quizzes, games and hands-on activities for kids. Report by Monica Zavagli and lots of photographs by Mila, María, Valerie, Pragati, and Monica .

Switzerland 2. Conférence de presse au Musée d'histoire naturelle de la ville de Genève pour le lancement de la journée mondiale des zones humides. Hier, le 29 janvier 2008, pour le lancement de la Journée mondiale des zones humides, le Département du Territoire (domaine nature et paysage) de l’Etat de Genève et le Musée d’histoire naturelle de la ville de Genève ont organisé conjointement une conférence de presse. Suite aux mots de bienvenue de Mme Danièle Decrouez, directrice du Mus&e