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Action for Ocean Wetlands and Rivers CVA Updates

Restoring Ramsar Wetlands of Importance Across Australia

Wetlands are important for many reasons: they provide habitat and food for a range of plants and animals, they help to purify water we use for drinking and irrigation, they play an important role in mitigating climate change, and they protect coasts from extreme weather events, and support millions of people’s livelihoods. But, wetlands are declining rapidly, with 35% of natural wetlands having been lost since 1970. Multiple threats facing wetlands need to be addressed to conserve and restore these valuable ecosystems.

In recognition of the significance of wetlands, and the threats facing them – the Ramsar Convention was established back in 1971. This international agreement between signatory countries provides a global framework for protecting and managing wetlands for conservation. Australia was one of the early signatories to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, and today has designated 67 wetlands as Ramsar sites.

Conservation Volunteers Australia works with community volunteers, nature stewards and strategic partners to conserve and restore wetlands and other ecosystems across Australia. Our Revive Our Wetlands Program specifically aims to restore wetland habitat through alien plant eradication and planting indigenous seedlings, as well as citizen science monitoring of endangered species.

Find out more below about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and what it aims to achieve, Australia’s Ramsar sites, and how you can get involved in protecting wetlands in Australia.

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands: An Overview

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an international treaty that aims to promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands worldwide. It was adopted in 1971 and came into force in 1975 with 172 countries having signed this global agreement. There are over 2.5 million kilometres of wetlands around the world that are protected by the Ramsar Convention.

There are many reasons why wetlands are important, which underpins the reason for the treaty’s existence. This includes the fact that wetlands provide us with fresh water which they help purify, wetlands support biodiversity, help regulate climate change and support jobs and livelihoods of millions of people.

There are various different types of wetlands including lakes, marshes, billabongs. peatlands, tidal flats, mangroves, and salt pans.

Countries like Australia that have signed the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, commit to designating wetlands of international importance to ensure that they are effectively managed and used wisely. As many wetlands extend across country boundaries, the Convention helps to coordinate transboundary management of wetlands.

Global Wetlands Outlook: Understanding Threats and Importance of Wetland Ecosystems

Global Wetland Outlook Special Edition 2021 was published to celebrate the 50th year anniversary of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

The report’s findings shine light on the importance of wetlands, the many threats they face, and how the Ramsar Convention and other tools can help to conserve wetlands.

Some of the main finding include:

  • Recognition of the link between people’s health and livelihoods – and well-managed wetlands.
  • The continued loss of wetlands and biodiversity and urgent need to address this
  • The link between wetland conservation and climate action (and how wetlands can provide an important climate action solution)

Australia’s Ramsar Wetlands of International Significance

The fact that wetlands are being lost globally at such a rapid rate, and that they provide a wealth of ecosystem services that support health, wellness, livelihoods, food security and climate resilience – means that urgent action is required to protect and restore wetlands.

Australia has designated 67 Ramsar wetlands that span over 8.3 million hectares; these rare and unique areas of wetland are listed as Wetlands of International Importance in terms of the Ramsar Convention.

Conservation Volunteers Australia is proud to be involved in helping restore and conserve wetlands and their biodiversity across Australia.

At CVA we work at these Ramsar sites:

Australia’s 67 Ramsar wetlands include:

How CVA is helping to protect wetlands across Australia

CVA is committed to enhancing the health of our oceans, wetlands and rivers through our Sea To Source program, our Revive Our Wetlands Program, and various other programs and initiatives.

CVA collaborates with volunteers to protect and restore Australia’s vital wetlands, making a positive and lasting impact together.

Over the last 3 years we’ve mobilised over 11,000 volunteers to collect and remove over 19,000 kilograms of litter. Comprising over 380,000 pieces of litter, much of which was plastic, these beach and river cleanups across Australia have contributed to both science (and CSIRO’s National Plastic Pollution Baseline Survey) and nature.

CVA volunteers restoring wetland habitat at Edwards Point Reserve (Victoria), which is part of the Port Phillip Bay and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar site.

Over the next 5 years, we plan to activate a community of nature stewards who will help us remove 30 tonnes of rubbish from entering the natural environment. We hope you will join us!

👉 Get involved with CVA as a volunteer by downloading our CVA App, viewing conservation volunteering opportunities on the CVA website, or by taking part in our SeaToSource Plastic Waste Challenge.

There are many ways we can all make a positive difference. Remember to be water wise, avoid water pollution and practice sustainable and circular consumption. You can also donate to CVA to help us implement wetland conservation projects.