World Wetlands Day

World Wetlands Day History

World Wetlands Day aims to raise awareness about the vital role that wetlands play in the ecosystem. Wetlands, which include marshes, swamps, bogs, and other watery landscapes, provide essential habitat for a wide variety of wildlife and contribute to the health of the environment by filtering pollutants, recharging groundwater supplies, and mitigating the impacts of floods and climate change. The day is an occasion to recognize the importance of these habitats and reaffirm our commitment towards their conservation, restoration, and wise-use.

The origins of World Wetlands Day trace back to the 1971 "Convention on Wetlands", held in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Canadians have a particular connection to this event: Canada is one of the 18 original signatories to the Ramsar Convention, and the country boasts 37 Ramsar sites, conservation areas recognized for their international significance. These sites cover a total of over 13 million hectares, making Canada home to more Ramsar-designated land than any other nation. World Wetlands Day is thus a chance for Canadians to celebrate these national treasures and reflect on their role in sustaining them for future generations.

In Canada, World Wetlands Day is marked by a variety of events and activities. These include educational programming, community-led cleanups and restoration projects, and social media campaigns designed to boost public awareness and engagement. The day is observed each year on the 2nd of February, a date chosen to commemorate the original signing of the Ramsar Convention. Whether by participating in a local event or simply appreciating Canada's wealth of wetland ecosystems, each of us can play a part in preserving these vital habitats and the biodiversity they support.

Top 8 Facts for 2026 World Wetlands Day in Canada

• The 2026 global theme for World Wetlands Day is Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage, a focus that highlights the vital role Indigenous wisdom plays in the sustainable management and restoration of these ecosystems.
• Canada is home to approximately 25 per cent of the world's remaining wetlands, a staggering environmental wealth that includes 37 designated Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.
• A major revitalization project is currently underway at Rouge National Urban Park following a 2026 announcement of a $9.47 million investment to restore the Rouge Beach and Marsh, featuring new elevated boardwalks designed to protect sensitive habitats while improving public access.
• The Saskatchewan River Delta, which is the largest inland delta in North America, has gained significant attention as it moves through the nomination process to become a formally recognized Ramsar site.
• Recent research presented at the University of Waterloo has gained traction for linking paleoenvironmental data with Anishinaabe traditional knowledge to guide the restoration of the historical Waasayishkodenayosh wetland at the mouth of the Don River in Toronto.
• The Queen Maud Gulf in Nunavut remains a point of national pride as one of the largest Ramsar sites on the planet, covering more than six million hectares of critical migratory bird habitat.
• Despite their importance, Canada continues to lose roughly 80 acres of wetlands every day, prompting a surge in community-led stewardship programs and monitoring initiatives like the annual bird survey to track biodiversity loss.
• Innovative studies highlighted in the January 2026 Wetland Knowledge Exchange have identified that Canadian peatlands store twice as much carbon as all the world's forests combined, making them a primary defense against climate change.

In the News and Trending in Canada for World Wetlands Day

Top things to do in Canada for World Wetlands Day

• Go outdoors and participate in events and activities such as tree planting, bird watching.
• Spread awareness on social media by using hashtags such as #WorldWetlandsDay or #WetlandsMatter
• Read a book to learn more about the Wetlands:
  A Field Guide to the Wetlands of Western Canada: Wetlands in a Changing Landscape - by Peter D. Vitt and Kevin J. Gould
  Metropolitan Wetlands: From Brownfields to Biodiversity - by Ute Lehrer and Jennefer Laidley
• Visit Point Pelee National Park: This national park in Ontario is a must-visit for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts. You can take a guided tour or explore the park's marshes and shores on your own.