#Ramsar Convention

[biodiversityday]

Loss of Wetland= Loss of biodiversity.

Wetlands biodiversity matters, the key drivers of wetlands loss

Pollution

Drainage

Land conversions

End biodiversity loss, restore wetlands.

[affairsmastery]

Indore and Udaipur have achieved the remarkable distinction of becoming India’s first internationally recognized wetland-accredited cities under the Ramsar Convention. This prestigious recognition highlights their unwavering commitment to conserving and sustainably managing wetlands, ensuring a balance between urban development and ecological preservation.

Wetland-accredited cities are those that protect and maintain wetlands, vital ecosystems that provide essential environmental and community services. Accreditation is granted to cities that meet six stringent international criteria focused on the conservation of wetland ecosystems, sustainable urban planning, and ecosystem service protection.

Globally, China leads with 22 accredited cities, followed by France with 9, showcasing the growing integration of wetland conservation into urban development. With over 2,400 Ramsar Sites worldwide, covering more than 2.5 million square kilometers, and 85 wetlands protected under the Ramsar Convention in India, this achievement by Indore and Udaipur serves as an inspiration for cities aiming to secure a sustainable future.

[travelingare]

📍Tourlida,Mesolongi Greece 🇬🇷

The lagoon of Mesolongi is considered the largest in our country and in essence it is a coastal lake - washed by the sea from the alluvium of the Acheloos river. The depth of the water on the coasts is ideal for the creation of salt flats and thus huge quantities of excellent quality salt are produced, while several fish farms operate with the particularly famous Messolonghi roe.

The lagoon and its ecosystem is protected by the well-known RAMSAR Convention and is also an environmental park. What is worth visiting by car, on foot or by bike is Tourlida.

It is a small inhabited island in the Gulf of Patraikos which is about five kilometers from the center of the city of Messolonghi. There is also the so-called "Black Salt" in contrast to "White", due to the lower quality of salt produced.

It got its name from a species of seabirds that existed there, the "turlids". It was an island until 1885, until that year a road was built by filling up the sea, while for the construction of the road the materials from the excavations made for the construction of the port were used.

In Tourlida you will also see the famous pelades, the traditional houses built in the water, which were originally built as homes for local fishermen. It is said that in recent years they have lost their romantic image and are now mainly used as holiday homes. Although it seemed to us an image of decline and abandonment, nevertheless this settlement still fascinates the visitor.

@bill_mavromitis

Καλημέρα Ελλάδα μου🇬🇷

[aisphotostuff]

Oare Marshes & the Village Kent... by Adam Swaine Via Flickr: Oare Marshes Nature Reserve...This Kent Wildlife Trust reserve is 67 hectares of grazing marsh, also freshwater and brackish dykes, reclaimed from saltmarsh after the building of the sea wall in 1953. It is part of the Swale Site of Special Scientific Interest and is an internationally important wetland under the 1973 Ramsar Convention. The reserve is at its best in spring and autumn when it is visited by migrant waterfowl and waders including common teal, gadwall, northern shoveller, northern lapwing, common redshank, little stints, curlew sandpipers, green and wood sandpipers, and black-tailed godwits. Long-billed Dowitcher (see image) has occurred repeatedly, as has a Bonaparte’s Gull. It is the here that Britain’s first tufted puffin was observed and photographed. In spring marsh frogs croak loudly from the wet margins of the pools and dykes

[mariacallous]

A new report on biodiversity in the Western Balkans published on Thursday by the German EuroNatur Foundation, a nature conservation organisation, highlights the need for urgent action to conserve threatened natural habitats.

The report highlights areas where the natural habitat is under threat and animal species in need of conservation in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.

Albania’s Vjose-Narte region, renowned for its birdlife and wetlands, faces severe threats from the construction of the Vlora International Airport, it notes. Over 200 bird species, including the rare Dalmatian Pelican and Greater Flamingo, rely on the habitat there. 

The government’s redefinition of protected areas to facilitate the airport project has excluded 310 hectares of crucial habitat in the south of the country, alarming conservationists. 

“The construction of the Vlora International Airport, part of a sweeping vision to transform this biodiverse haven into a hub of tourism and infrastructure, threatens to mute the lagoon’s vibrant voice,” the report warns.

The report also focuses on the vast karst field of Livanjsko Polje in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a Ramsar site and Important Bird Area, which remains unprotected at national level. Ramsar Sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention.

Seasonal flooding supports diverse habitats and agriculture but unregulated water management, peat extraction and inadequate legal frameworks threaten its future.

Efforts to declare Livanjsko Polje a protected area have stalled, reflecting governance challenges in Bosnia and its fragmented environmental policies.

Montenegro’s Ulcinj Salina, once a thriving salt production site, is another battleground for conservation noted in the report. Recognised as a candidate for the Emerald Network, the area supports over 250 bird species but privatisation and neglect have degraded its ecosystems. 

The report emphasises “a struggle, pitting traditional livelihoods and environmental conservation against closed economic interests, leaving an entire ecosystem and the local community at a crossroads”.

Salina was designated a Nature Park in 2019 but a formal management body has yet to be established, hindering restoration efforts.

The Adriatic Flyway, a critical bird migration route, is under siege from illegal bird killings, particularly in Serbia, the report says. Up to 163,000 birds, including quails and raptors, are killed each year, disrupting ecological balances. Weak law enforcement exacerbates the issue, undermining Serbia’s compliance with international conservation agreements.

The report also emphasises the grave danger facing the Balkan lynx, one of Europe’s most endangered large carnivores, which inhabits the forests and mountains of the Western Balkans, including North Macedonia, Albania, and Kosovo. 

With fewer than 40 lynx remaining in the wild, this wild cat faces extinction. Its survival is a critical conservation priority, not only as a keystone species but also as a barometer of the region’s environmental health​

The report calls for enhanced legal frameworks, stricter enforcement of conservation laws, and greater community involvement. Recommendations include restoring damaged habitats, integrating local economies with biodiversity goals, and aligning national policies with EU environmental standards.

[alpineramble]

Sagarmatha National Park: The No. 1 Best Destination for Trekking and Mountain Expeditions

Sagarmatha National Park is highly renowned for housing the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest (8,848.86 meters), and the popular trekking destination, Everest Base Camp. Sagarmatha National Park is a true ecological hotspot, with its diverse geography, native flora and fauna, breathtakingly lofty mountains, and vibrant Sherpa culture.

Background and History

The name of Sagarmatha is derived from two Nepali words: "Sagar,” meaning sky, and "Matha,” meaning forehead. So altogether, Sagarmatha means the forehead of the sky, and it is known as Chomolungma in Tibetian, which means "Goddess Mother of the Earth." Since the 1950s, tourism has taken the shape of mountaineering and trekking in the Everest Region, resulting in a positive change in the local economy as well as a change in the landscape, livelihood patterns, resource management, and infrastructure development. As a response to concerns about conservation, the Sagarmatha National Park was established on July 19, 1976 AD.

Following its establishment after three years, Sagarmatha National Park was also listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site List for its ecological diversity and unique culture. Furthermore, on January 1, 2002, a 275-square-kilometer buffer zone was declared, including the park's settlements. Then, on September 23, 2007, Gokyo and its surrounding lakes were recognized as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.

Sagarmatha National Location, Map, and Getting There

Located in the north-eastern part of Nepal, the Sagarmatha National Park spans 1,148 square kilometers, encompassing the Himalayan ecological zone of the Khumbu Region. The protected area also adjoins the Makalu Barun National Park and Rolwaling Valley of the Gauri Sankar Conservation Area to the east and the Qomolangma Biosphere Reserve in the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China to the west.

The route to Sagarmatha National Park and also the popular trekking destinations such as the Everest Base Camp Trek, Gokyo Lakes Trek, and the Three High Pass Trek, as well as the Everest expeditions, and Kalapathar follow the same path. The distance of the SNP from Kathmandu is about 135 kilometers. So, you have the option of a flight to Lukla, which is either from Kathmandu or Manthali, Ramcehhap. The flight is about 25 minutes. Alternately, you can also catch a flight to Phaplu or Tumlingtar and trek the remaining distance, which is two days of walking. There is also the option of a direct helicopter ride to SNP.

The best route by road is to take a bus to Salleri, then, from there, another ride to Thamdada. From Thamdada, you will have to trek for another two days to reach the Sagarmatha National Park.

Flora and Fauna

The Sagarmatha National Park is one of the ecological hotspots in the Himalayan region of Nepal. The area inhabits rare and endangered species of both plants and animals, which has brought about the conservation efforts of this protected area. 69% of the total land in the protected area is barren above the altitude of 5000 meters, 28% is grazing land and the remaining 3% is covered with forests.

The park has six different types of vegetation. The lower subalpine zone is above 3,000 meters and has forests of blue pine (Pinus wallichiana), east Himalayan fir (Abies spectabilis), and drooping juniper (Juniperus recurva). The upper subalpine zone is above 3,600 meters and has a birch-rhododendron forest with Himalayan birch (Betula utilis), Rhododendron campanulatum, and R. campylocarpum. The lower alpine is above the timber line at 3,800–4,000 meters and has scrubs of Juniperus species Rhododendron anthopogon and R. lepidotum. The upper alpine zone is above 4,500 meters and has grassland and dwarf shrubs. The sub-nival zone is between 5,750 and 6,000 meters and has cushion plants.

The park also has a thriving faunal habitat with 152 high-altitude breeding species of birds, including blood pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus), robin accentor (Prunella rubeculoides), white-throated redstart (Phoenicurus schisticeps), grandala (Grandala coelicolor), and several rosefinches. There are also a total of 28 species of mammals, such as the northern plains grey langur (Semnopithecus entellus), jackal (Canis aureus), grey wolf (Canis lupus), Himalayan black bear (Ursus thibetanus) (VU), red panda (Ailurus fulgens) (VU), yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula), Siberian weasel (Mustela sibirica), snow leopard (Panthera uncia) (EN), Himalayan musk deer (Moschus leucogaster) (EN), Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) and Himalayan goral (Naemorhedus goral).

There is limited information regarding the documentation of reptiles and amphibian species. It is estimated that there are seven reptiles and six amphibians, while there have been records of 30 species of butterflies within the protected area, among them the orange and silver mountain hopper (Carterocephalus avanti), which is not recorded elsewhere in Nepal, and the rare red apollo (Parnassius epaphus).

Note: VU-Vulnerable, EN-Endangered

Mountains, Rivers, and Glaciers in the Sagarmatha National Park

The mountains of the Himalayas are considered to be geologically very young mountains, including the world’s highest Mt. Everest (8848.86 meters). Other notable peaks over 8000 meters include Cho Oyu (8,188 meters) and Lhotse (8,516 meters), along with 6000 and 7000-meter peaks such as Baruntse, Nuptse, Pumo Ri, Guachung Kang, Nangpai Gosum, Ama Dablam, Lobuche, Tabuche, Kang Tega, Thamserku, and many more.

The upper headwaters of the Bhote Kosi, Dudh Kosi, and Imja Khola rivers, which splinter beneath the Himalaya Mountains on the Tibetan border and converge close to Namche Bazar, the area's primary settlement, make up the core portion of the park. The rivers in Sagarmatha National Park are fed by glaciers at the top of each valley. Key glaciers include Imja, Nangpa, Ngozumpa, and Khumbu.

The 20-kilometer-long Ngozumpa Glacier is bordered by four Gokyo lakes. While all glaciers are retreating, Imja Dzo has expanded since the 1970s, now covering 1,200 hectares and 45 meters deep. Several new glacial lakes have also formed recently.

Communities and Culture of the Khumbu

The natives of the Khumbu region are the people of the Sherpa caste. The history of the Sherpas dates back to the late 1400s and early 1500s when the Samlo Gang in the eastern Tibetan territory was said to escape from military and political pressure. In the early 1530s, they migrated into Nepal over the Nangpa La Pass, splitting into two groups that settled in Khumbu and Solu, further south.

One of the biggest influences on the Sherpa communities has been the introduction of mountaineering in the 1950s, which revolutionized their economy. They are the followers of Tibetan Buddhism, which was founded by Guru Rinpoche. Monasteries like Tengboche and Pangboche and other smaller gompas are held in high regard, which is the prime location for their celebrations and ceremonies. The routes and trekking trails are often covered with inscriptions and flags of the Buddhist prayer Om mani padme hum, "praise to the jewel of the lotus flower."

Seasons, Weather, and Climate

The weather and temperature of SNP vary in accordance with the season and the diversity of the geographic location. Lower alpine regions such as Namche Bazaar are considerably humid with seasonal monsoons during summer, whereas the higher altitudes are very cold and dry, even dropping to a negative 25 degrees Celsius during the winter season. Autumn and spring have a more moderate temperature and a clear sky, which is the perfect time to visit SNP.

Even so, the average temperature in the Himalayas has increased by 1°C since the 1970s, nearly twice as quickly as the 0.6°C global warming that the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported. This indicates that climate change is a serious problem. There have been visible impacts, such as the risk of the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), retreating glaciers, untimely snow and rainfall, and reduced snowlines.

Trails and Landmarks of the Sagarmatha National Park

The Sagarmatha National Park should be on your list to visit at least once in your lifetime. There are a variety of options you can choose from; from trekking to mountain expeditions to having a religious retreat, this protected area has got you covered. Here are some popular destinations within the National Park:

Everest Base Camp

The Everest Base Camp Trek is the most popular trek of Nepal. A trail within the park offers the best view of the Everest along with other majestic mountains and an immersive experience of the Sherpa culture.

Tengboche Monastery

Built in 1916, it is the largest monastery in the Khumbu region. An integral part of the Buddhist and Sherpa communities, at an elevation of 3,867 metres (12,687 feet), Tengboche Monastery is also known as the gateway to Everest.

The intricate architectural design, with the beautiful backdrop of Mount Ama Dablam, makes the monastery even more spiritual. It is a place of great importance for both the Sherpa and Buddhist communities.

Gokyo Lakes

TheGokyo Lakes Trek with ebc is another popular trekking journey among adventurers. It is a site of great importance, in terms of both natural and religious importance. Gokyo and its associated lakes are part of important wetlands around the world. Along with the lakes, the Gokyo Ri Trek also offers the best view of the Himalayan mountains.

Three High Passes trek

The Three High Passes Trek is a challenging adventure where the trails go through the famous high passes of the Everest region: Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La. A long and formidable trekking journey around the Sagarmatha National Park, with all-round views of Everest.

Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar is a bustling Sherpa town at an elevation of 3,440 metres (11,286 ft). It lies within the Sagarmatha National Park and is a trading hub for the Khumbu Region. It is the main transit for Everest treks or expeditions. Despite the lack of access to roads, Namche Bazaar has ample amenities and services that meet the demands of tourists.  

Ultimately 

Sagarmatha National Park is not only a significant part of the trekking and mountaineering community but also holds equal importance in regard to ecology and biodiversity. With majestic views of some of the highest mountains in the world and glimpses of rare wildlife, SNP is the best place to quench your thirst for outdoor adventure in every sense.

If you are planning a journey to Everest, allow us to guide you. From Everest Base Camp to Gokyo, you are guaranteed the best time with our experienced guides at your service, who will take you on an unforgettable adventure in the Sagarmatha National Park.

Reference

Daconto, G., & Sherpa, L. N. (2010). Applying scenario planning to park and tourism management in Sagarmatha National Park, Khumbu, Nepal. Mountain Research and Development, 30(2), 103–112. https://doi.org/10.1659/mrd-journal-d-09-00047.1

DNPWC. (n.d.). Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. https://dnpwc.gov.np/en/conservation-area-detail/72/

Sagarmatha National Park. (n.d.). https://www.snp.gov.np/about-us

Unep-Wcmc. (2017, May 22). SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK. World Heritage Datasheet. http://world-heritage-datasheets.unep-wcmc.org/datasheet/output/site/sagarmatha-national-park/

[mohammedalothman12]

🌿 World Wetlands Day 2024: Protecting Nature’s Lifelines 🌎💧

On February 2, we celebrate World Wetlands Day, a global initiative to raise awareness about the vital role wetlands play in our ecosystem. This day marks the anniversary of the Ramsar Convention, adopted in 1971 in Iran, which set the foundation for global wetland conservation efforts.

As Mohammad S A A Alothman states, “Wetlands are nature’s unsung heroes, acting as buffers against climate change, purifiers of water, and havens for biodiversity.” At AI Tech Solutions, we recognize the power of AI-driven environmental monitoring, helping protect and restore these delicate ecosystems.

Why Wetlands Matter:

✅ Natural Water Filters – Wetlands absorb pollutants, improving water quality.

✅ Flood Control – They act as sponges, reducing flood risks.

✅ Carbon Storage – Peatlands, a type of wetland, store 30% of global soil carbon.

✅ Biodiversity Hotspots – Home to countless species of birds, fish, and plants.

✅ Livelihoods & Economy – Support agriculture, fishing, and ecotourism.

AI-powered solutions are now being used to track wetland health, analyze climate patterns, and predict environmental risks, ensuring better conservation efforts. With AI, governments and environmental agencies can make data-driven decisions to restore and protect wetlands.

💚 This World Wetlands Day, let’s pledge to safeguard these natural treasures. Every action counts—from reducing pollution to supporting conservation initiatives! 🌎💦

[mannycameron]

🌿 World Wetlands Day 2024: Protecting Nature’s Lifelines 🌎💧

On February 2, we celebrate World Wetlands Day, a global initiative to raise awareness about the vital role wetlands play in our ecosystem. This day marks the anniversary of the Ramsar Convention, adopted in 1971 in Iran, which set the foundation for global wetland conservation efforts.

As Mohammad S A A Alothman states, “Wetlands are nature’s unsung heroes, acting as buffers against climate change, purifiers of water, and havens for biodiversity.” At AI Tech Solutions, we recognize the power of AI-driven environmental monitoring, helping protect and restore these delicate ecosystems.

Why Wetlands Matter:

✅ Natural Water Filters – Wetlands absorb pollutants, improving water quality.

✅ Flood Control – They act as sponges, reducing flood risks.

✅ Carbon Storage – Peatlands, a type of wetland, store 30% of global soil carbon.

✅ Biodiversity Hotspots – Home to countless species of birds, fish, and plants.

✅ Livelihoods & Economy – Support agriculture, fishing, and ecotourism.

AI-powered solutions are now being used to track wetland health, analyze climate patterns, and predict environmental risks, ensuring better conservation efforts. With AI, governments and environmental agencies can make data-driven decisions to restore and protect wetlands.

💚 This World Wetlands Day, let’s pledge to safeguard these natural treasures. Every action counts—from reducing pollution to supporting conservation initiatives! 🌎💦

[mohammedalothman]

🌿 World Wetlands Day 2024: Protecting Nature’s Lifelines 🌎💧

On February 2, we celebrate World Wetlands Day, a global initiative to raise awareness about the vital role wetlands play in our ecosystem. This day marks the anniversary of the Ramsar Convention, adopted in 1971 in Iran, which set the foundation for global wetland conservation efforts.

As Mohammad S A A Alothman states, “Wetlands are nature’s unsung heroes, acting as buffers against climate change, purifiers of water, and havens for biodiversity.” At AI Tech Solutions, we recognize the power of AI-driven environmental monitoring, helping protect and restore these delicate ecosystems.

Why Wetlands Matter:

✅ Natural Water Filters – Wetlands absorb pollutants, improving water quality.

✅ Flood Control – They act as sponges, reducing flood risks.

✅ Carbon Storage – Peatlands, a type of wetland, store 30% of global soil carbon.

✅ Biodiversity Hotspots – Home to countless species of birds, fish, and plants.

✅ Livelihoods & Economy – Support agriculture, fishing, and ecotourism.

AI-powered solutions are now being used to track wetland health, analyze climate patterns, and predict environmental risks, ensuring better conservation efforts. With AI, governments and environmental agencies can make data-driven decisions to restore and protect wetlands.

💚 This World Wetlands Day, let’s pledge to safeguard these natural treasures. Every action counts—from reducing pollution to supporting conservation initiatives! 🌎💦

[greenterracleaning]

Honoring World Wetlands Day

Every year, on February 2nd, the world observes World Wetlands Day, a day dedicated to celebrating and raising awareness about the vital importance of these kid of lands to our planet. This observance marks the anniversary of the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971, which pioneered global efforts in conservation. As we commemorate this day, it is crucial to understand the indispensable role that lands play in maintaining ecological health. What Are Wetlands? Wetlands are unique ecosystems where water is the primary factor controlling the environment and the plant and animal life. These include marshes, swamps, bogs, and mangroves, each with their diverse characteristics but unified by the presence of water too. A Call for Conservation This day is not only a celebration but a call to action. With increasing threats from urban development, climate change, and pollution, wetlands around the globe are disappearing at an alarming rate. It is imperative that we commit to their protection and restoration. Preserving Our Lifelines As we recognize World Wetlands Day, we must appreciate the invaluable services that wetlands provide in sustaining life on Earth. By understanding their role in ecological health, we can work towards stronger conservation efforts and innovative solutions that ensure the longevity of these critical ecosystems. Let us all protect and restore wetlands, recognizing them not just as landscapes to admire but as essential lifelines for our planet. If you need a professional eco-friendly house cleaning service in San Francisco, book our teams at GreenTerra!

[rabbitcruiser]

World Wetlands Day

World Wetlands Day is observed on February 2 to recognize and celebrate the importance of wetlands to the world, and the diversity of life that they support. Wetlands can be a very small or a very large area where the land is saturated with water throughout the year.

Wetlands are one of the most misunderstood ecosystems. They have a lot of biodiversity, and large numbers of animals, plants, and birds live there. They are also very beneficial, preventing soil erosion and offering protection against flooding, among others.

HISTORY OF WORLD WETLANDS DAY

World Wetlands Day, popularly known as World Wetlands Day, was first organized by a group of environmentalists who wanted to celebrate and protect wetlands. The date, February 2, also marks the date when the Convention on Wetlands was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar.

This day is all about celebrating the importance of wetlands to the earth and everyone living on the planet. Environmentalists use this day to spread information about Wetlands, and what people can do to protect them.

Wetlands are areas that are flooded with water for the majority of the year, where life has evolved to exist in these flooded, oxygen-less conditions. Every single continent has its own wetlands. They perform a number of vital functions for the land.

Wetlands are the main source of groundwater refills. They are also the first line of defense against storms and typhoons. Wetlands purify water, and in some places, they are artificially constructed to purify industrial runoff water.

Wetlands are teeming with life, and are home to unique plants, fish, reptiles, mammals, amphibians, and birds that can’t live anywhere else. However, wetlands are also extremely ecologically sensitive. They are the most easily affected by environmental changes and climate change. Even minor changes can prove catastrophic for wetlands, and all the life that is dependent on them.

The main aim of Wetlands Day is to spread information about how valuable wetlands are, and encourage people and governments to take action to prevent their loss. Recognizing this, the U.N. decided to formally institute World Wetlands Day on the day it had been celebrated by environmentalists, February 2.

WORLD WETLANDS DAY TIMELINE

1971

The Convention on Wetlands is Signed

This convention, one of the older environmental agreements on a global scale, is adopted at the city of Ramsar in Iran.

1975

The Ramsar Convention Comes into Force

Countries that had signed the convention now begin to adopt the measures listed in the agreement.

1997

The First Wetlands Day is Celebrated

A group of environmentalists comes together to celebrate wetlands, spread information about them, and work together to protect the wetlands of the planet.

2021

The U.N. Institutes Wetlands Day

Recognizing the efforts of environmentalists and the importance of protecting wetlands, the U.N. formally institutes a global day, February 2, to celebrate wetlands.

WORLD WETLANDS DAY FAQS

Who is responsible for wetlands?

The people, governmental agencies such as the E.P.A., and the United States Army Corps of Engineers are all responsible for wetlands.

Can wetlands be farmed?

If part of your farm is a designated wetland, you can continue to farm as long as you don’t alter the drainage systems of the area.

How long does it take to restore wetlands?

Depending on the damage, wetlands can be restored in three to four years.

HOW TO OBSERVE WORLD WETLANDS DAY

Make a poster or brochures: An important way to celebrate wetlands is by spreading information about them. Put together a poster or some brochures with information about wetlands and educate people!

Take some photos for competitions: Wetlands are found everywhere, so drive down to your nearest wetland and take some photos. There are lots of photography competitions for wetlands on this day, so submit your photos for first place.

Organize an event at your local school: Work with teachers and community leaders to organize a kid-friendly event that celebrates all things wetlands. Informs the kids about how they can help!

5 FACTS ABOUT WETLANDS THAT YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T KNOW

The U.S.'s wetlands have decreased: Since the 1700s, there has been a steady degradation of wetlands all over the country, and it’s believed they have decreased by half.

A lot of endangered species live there: In the U.S., one-third of the country’s endangered and threatened species live in wetlands.

Alaska has the most wetlands63% of the country’s wetlands are found in Alaska.

Buying stamps can help: Funds from the purchase of federal duck stamps go towards wetlands acquisition so they can be protected.

You can adopt wetlands: In New England, an Adopt-A-Wetland program has been set up to help save the wetlands.

WHY WORLD WETLANDS DAY IS IMPORTANT

We think they’re beautiful: Wetlands are the most biodiverse places on the planet and have the most variety of life. What could be more beautiful than that?

We want to save the wetlands: Spreading information about what they do and how important they are is the best way to help protect the wetlands, which do so much for the planet.

We love nature: We want to do our best to make sure that we support natural systems and do our bit to stop the effects of climate change on the planet.

Source

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 2.2 (after 1920)

1920 – The Tartu Peace Treaty is signed between Estonia and Russia. 1922 – Ulysses by James Joyce is published. 1922 – The uprising called the "pork mutiny" starts in the region between Kuolajärvi and Savukoski in Finland. 1925 – Serum run to Nome: Dog sleds reach Nome, Alaska with diphtheria serum, inspiring the Iditarod race. 1934 – The Export-Import Bank of the United States is incorporated. 1935 – Leonarde Keeler administers polygraph tests to two murder suspects, the first time polygraph evidence was admitted in U.S. courts. 1942 – The Osvald Group is responsible for the first, active event of anti-Nazi resistance in Norway, to protest the inauguration of Vidkun Quisling. 1943 – World War II: The Battle of Stalingrad comes to an end when Soviet troops accept the surrender of the last organized German troops in the city. 1954 – The Detroit Red Wings played in the first outdoor hockey game by any NHL team in an exhibition against the Marquette Branch Prison Pirates in Marquette, Michigan. 1959 – Nine experienced ski hikers in the northern Ural Mountains in the Soviet Union die under mysterious circumstances. 1966 – Pakistan suggests a six-point agenda with Kashmir after the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965. 1971 – Idi Amin replaces President Milton Obote as leader of Uganda. 1971 – The international Ramsar Convention for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands is signed in Ramsar, Mazandaran, Iran. 1980 – Reports surface that the FBI is targeting allegedly corrupt Congressmen in the Abscam operation. 1982 – Hama massacre: The government of Syria attacks the town of Hama. 1987 – After the 1986 People Power Revolution, the Philippines enacts a new constitution. 1989 – Soviet–Afghan War: The last Soviet armoured column leaves Kabul. 1990 – Apartheid: F. W. de Klerk announces the unbanning of the African National Congress and promises to release Nelson Mandela. 1998 – Cebu Pacific Flight 387 crashes into Mount Sumagaya in the Philippines, killing all 104 people on board. 2000 – First digital cinema projection in Europe (Paris) realized by Philippe Binant with the DLP CINEMA technology developed by Texas Instruments. 2004 – Swiss tennis player Roger Federer becomes the No. 1 ranked men's singles player, a position he will hold for a record 237 weeks. 2005 – The Government of Canada introduces the Civil Marriage Act. This legislation would become law on July 20, 2005, legalizing same-sex marriage. 2007 – Police officer Filippo Raciti is killed when a clash breaks out in the Sicily derby between Catania and Palermo, in the Serie A, the top flight of Italian football. This event led to major changes in stadium regulations in Italy. 2012 – The ferry MV Rabaul Queen sinks off the coast of Papua New Guinea near the Finschhafen District, with an estimated 146–165 dead. 2021 – The Burmese military establishes the State Administration Council, the military junta, after deposing the democratically elected government in the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état.

[nayakb]

World Wetlands Day: Significance, Theme, and Importance

World Wetlands Day World Wetlands Day is observed every year on February 2 to raise awareness about the vital role wetlands play in sustaining life on Earth. This day marks the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. Wetlands are crucial ecosystems that provide habitat for diverse wildlife, support livelihoods, and help mitigate climate change. World…