Ramsar Convention

On 2 February 1971, the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat, was concluded in Ramsar, Iran. Poland has joined this initiative in 1978. Until today, 172 States have signed the Ramsar Convention, which aim was to protect wetlands.

This year's celebration takes place under the theme 'Wetlands and human wellbeing' (click  for more information).

Wetland protection under the EEA Climate Programme

Under the EEA Climate Programme, there are 30 ongoing projects in the Environment area, of which a major number implement tasks related to the protection or restoration of wetlands. These include a variety of activities, from improving infrastructure, active protection, bird habitat or site irrigation to a wide range of information and education activities.

Building islands of life

One of the most important activities in the Recreating the wetlands project carried out by the Foundation of the Green Valley of the Odra and Warta Rivers is the construction of life islands. On such artificial sand platforms, terns, gulls and many other bird species nest in large numbers. These birds originally used to nest on sandbanks in the valleys of large rivers, but as a result of the watercourse regulation, they lost their nesting sites. Artificial platforms on man-made reservoirs near the Odra River have become a salvation for them.

Wetlands like a sponge, so why we should restore them

Hot weather, drying up rivers and lakes, yellowed lawns and appeals not to water gardens with tap water because they might run out - this has become our reality. The key to mitigating some of these problems is wetland restoration. They work like a sponge. When water is plentiful, they absorb and store it. When the rainfall-poor months come - marshes, bogs, wet meadows and forests give up their accumulated reserves to the nearest neighbourhood. As part of the aforementioned project, the Project Promoter is  involved also in restoring wetlands, where they have taken care of two such sites.

What you don't know about peatlands - a series of articles

Within the Carpathians Unite - conservation of Orawsko-Nowotarskie Peatbogs project, implemented by UNEP/GRID-Warszawa, a series of field visits for journalists took place with the aim of reaching out to a wide audience with project content. Their effects can be found in main Polish media.

Educational campaign "Full sponge forest"

Forests can absorb, retain water and act like a sponge. One square metre of forest soil can store up to 200 litres of water. This is why it is so important to conserve and restore wetlands. They are crucial habitats on a European scale. It is estimated that wetlands in Poland can store twice as much water as all Polish lakes. In addition, they are a powerful storehouse of CO2. These places are thriving with life and full of charm, and because of their out-of-reach nature, they allow many species to grow peacefully.

These, and much more valuable information on wetlands, can be found on the website of the Regional Directorate of State Forests in Poznań, which is implementing the project entitled The complex renaturation of the forests wetlands and swamps on the protected areas located in the Regional Directorate of the State Forests in Poznań, through the increase of the forests potential to retention the water, in short, Full sponge forest.

Intergenerational education campaign. Eco-generations. Wetlands - water, life, climate

In the project ECO-generations. Wetlands - water, life, climate, it was developed a scientific publication targeting communities living in wetland areas.

As a society, we are becoming more aware of the threats posed by the disappearance of our marshy and wet meadows, peat bogs, lakes and other water reservoirs. At the same time, there is a growing interest in their protection. We also know that the existence of these natural reservoirs offers non-measurable economic benefits by maintaining water resources, regulating climate and providing a home for numerous plant and animal species, i.e. our native biodiversity. Meanwhile, they are still unconvinced of the need to preserve wetlands and provide the water conditions necessary for their survival.

More about this can be found in the publication in Polish version on the project website (link)

photo: https://www.worldwetlandsday.org/

 

 Editorial

• Climate Programme projects database - link to our projects implemented under the Environment, Energy and Climate Change Programme 
• Find our project in your area – the polish website of the Climate Programme
• See the effects of projects from the thermal modernization call – the polish website of the Climate Programme
• See the EEA and Norway Grants data and results portal
• Learn about projects in the international Media library of the EEA and Norway Grants