Peel residents encouraged to celebrate World Wetlands Day

The date is celebrated around the world each year to mark the anniversary of the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance in Iran, in 1971.

Peel-Harvey Catchment Council chairperson Jan Star urged people to connect with Peel’s wetlands and waterways on World Wetlands Day.

“Our Peel-Yalgorup system is Number 482 of the internationally Ramsar listed wetlands, so we are suggesting people post their World Wetlands Day activity on social media and hashtag #Ramsar482 on February 2 to celebrate our patch,” she said.

“Take a walk around the inlet, get onto the waterways on a canoe or a boat, or take a picnic, a camera and photograph our shorebirds. 

“We have a limited edition of Peel Yalgorup Ramsar #482 t-shirts available from our Sutton Street office as well as other Wetlands souvenirs.”

Western Australia has 12 wetlands listed as being of international significant under the Ramsar treaty which is dedicated to the conservation and wise use of wetlands. 

The theme for World Wetlands Day 2015 is Wetlands for Our Future.

“Since European settlement WA has lost, and continues to lose, much of its wetlands," Ms Star said. 

"Wetlands are a litmus test for the broader environment – healthy wetlands are indicators of healthy land around them.  

“Be aware that our Ramsar 482 Wetlands need your help and pick up litter before it enters our water ways. 

“Good management of wetlands is an important part of protecting our environmental assets of the state for the benefit the future generations.”

To celebrate World Wetlands Day, the Ramsar Convention Secretariat is running a photographic competition for 15 to 24 year olds.

The winner will receive a free flight to a famous wetland of their choice anywhere in the world.

Those who wish to enter should take a photo of their favourite wetland with a phone or digital camera between February 2 and March 2 and upload it to worldwetlandsday.org/en