Wetlands do a lot for Planet Earth. Not only are they home to a vast array of species, but they also help to filter our drinking water, shield coastal communities from hurricanes and remove up to 700 billion tons of carbon from the atmosphere. And every February 2nd since 1997, World Wetlands Day has been held across the world to celebrate these vital but often overlooked habitats. Each year governments, NGOs and even ordinary citizens publish material and hold events ranging from nature walks to seminars to clean up days. All based around a specific theme and all designed to educate the public on the importance and benefits of conserving wetlands. For 2018, the theme is ‘Wetlands for a Sustainable Urban Future’, with the focus being the effects of urbanisation on wetlands, ways in which cities can conserve and restore wetlands and the positive effects of urban wetland conservation for wildlife and people. If you are interested, go to: http://www.worldwetlandsday.org/ to download information packs and to find wetland related events near you.
Hope you had a Happy World Wetlands Day!
Thomas Gomersall
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