World Wetlands Day

World Wetlands Day is held on February 2nd every year to celebrate the 1971 adoption of the Convention on Wetlands in the Iranian City of Ramsar. 

In New Zealand, World Wetlands Day events are co-ordinated by the Fish and Game Council. Agencies and community groups are encouraged to organise local events. 

The National Wetland Trust runs a national World Wetlands Day event every year.  In 2009 our event will be held on Saturday, January 31^st. 

National World Wetlands Day Event:  January 31^st

Download our invitation for the National Wetland Trust event. (436 kb)

The theme for 2009 is Upstream-Downstream: Wetlands connect us all.  What better way to celebrate than travelling up and down our mighty river, Waikato Te Awa?

Join the National Wetland Trust on Saturday January 31^st for a coach tour from Hamilton to Taupo return, to explore the ecology, management issues, cultural significance, recreational opportunities and hidden beauty of our largest river.

 
Learn about

• The historic Waikato River settlement of 2008
• Wetland changes from hydro generation in pretty Lake Waipapa
• Fish and Game’s million dollar wetland creation project near Hardcastle Lagoon
• One of the world’s rarest wetland types – driven by steam power!
• Little-known features along the river

 
See

• Stunning white ignimbrite cliffs at Waipapa
• Waterfowl at Hardcastle lagoon
• Steaming geothermal wetlands near Lake Rotokawa
• The historic course of the river at the Hinuera gap
• The water turn from murky to stunning blue as we travel upstream

This trip is generously sponsored by Mighty River Power and Eastern Fish and Game Council.

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL Call 0800 BIODIV (0800 246348) or email biodiv@bioforum.org.nz to book your seat and recieve directions.

Find out more about the Convention on the RAMSAR site http://www.ramsar.org/.