Wetlands matter

February 2nd is World Wetlands Day. 

The aim behind this the day is to encourage people to raise awareness of the importance of wetlands. 

The World Wetlands Day website explains that wetlands are important because they:

• purify and replenish our water
• provide the fish and rice that feed billions
• act as a natural sponge against flooding and drought
• protect our coastlines
• burst with biodiversity
• are a vital means of storing carbon.

Unfortunately, wetlands are often seen as wasteland.   Since 1900, 64% of our wetlands have disappeared, yet they are essential to mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates.

Wetland wildlife is under threat.  The Wildfowl and Wetland Trust says, "Of those species that depend on inland wetlands, 30% of amphibians, freshwater reptiles and mammals, and 15% of birds are globally threatened with extinction."

World Wetlands Day have a number of ways in which you can help wetlands through pledging to take action. 

Ways to help wetlands include:

• Help clear up wetlands - in the UK the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust has lots of volunteering opportunities
• Visit wetlands near you to find out which plants and animals live there.  In the UK, the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust have 9 centres to visit, and the RSPB also has nature reserves
• Spread the word about the importance of wetlands
• Invite others to make a pledge to help wetlands
• Support others who are working to help wetlands, such as the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in the UK - you could become a member for example
• Adopt an animal from the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust as a gift for an animal lover such as a Crane, a Hawaiian Goose, a Flamingo, an Otter or a Bewick's Swan.

There are lifestyle changes you can make to help wetlands:

• Use reusable bags when you shop
• Take shorter showers and turn the tap off when you're cleaning your teeth rather than letting the water run
• Plant native plants and use organic fertiliser in your garden
• Recycle as much as you can and don't let batteries go places where they might end up in landfill
• Buy sustainably raised fish and meat

The World Wetlands Day website has lots of resources you can download (for teachers, as well) and there's a Photo Contest for 15-24 year olds (i.e. take a picture of wetlands location).

So there's lots you can do to help animals by helping wildlife on World Wetlands Day and beyond - please make the pledge!