World Wetlands Day

World Wetlands Day History

World Wetlands Day is an annual global event that aims to raise awareness regarding the vital role of wetlands in maintaining the planet's ecological health and resilience. It event recognises the importance of these diverse ecosystems in purifying water, reducing flood risks, providing habitat for numerous species, and storing carbon, amongst many other services. By showcasing the diverse benefits of wetlands, World Wetlands Day seeks to inspire better management practices, as well as foster greater appreciation and understanding of these unique environments amongst the general public, governments, and environmental organisations.

The genesis of World Wetlands Day can be traced back to the historic Ramsar Convention of 1971, also known as the Convention on Wetlands, which was held in Ramsar, Iran. This intergovernmental treaty aimed to protect the world's wetlands by providing a framework for their conservation and wise use. The convention brought together 170 countries, signalling a strong international consensus on the vital importance of wetlands. On the 20th anniversary of the Ramsar Convention in 1991, World Wetlands Day was formally established as an annual event to be celebrated in participating countries, with the first-ever event taking place on 2nd February 1993.

In the nearly 30 years since its inception, World Wetlands Day has played a pivotal role in highlighting the significance of wetlands within the global ecosystem. Through educational campaigns, workshops, seminars, and other initiatives, the event has fostered a deeper global understanding and appreciation of these distinctive habitats. Taking place each year on 2nd February, World Wetlands Day is a key date in the calendar for all those seeking to protect and champion these precious landscapes.

Top 8 Facts for 2026 World Wetlands Day in the UK

• The official theme for the 2026 observance is Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage, which aims to highlight the deep-rooted connections between local communities, historical practices, and the preservation of these vital ecosystems.
• This year marks the 55th anniversary of the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971, an international treaty that continues to underpin the protection of over 170 sites of international importance across the United Kingdom.
• Recent data reveals that the United Kingdom has lost roughly 90% of its wetlands over the last century, a statistic that underscores the urgency of current large-scale restoration efforts.
• British peatlands, a specific type of wetland, currently cover approximately 12% of the UK's land area and are the nation's largest natural carbon store, holding over three billion tonnes of carbon—more than all the forests in the UK, France, and Germany combined.
• Environmental experts suggest that a successful Blue Recovery—a strategic mission to restore 100,000 hectares of UK wetlands—could generate an estimated £8 billion in economic and social benefits by providing natural flood defences and improving water quality.
• Active local initiatives like Eelscapes along the River Severn and the Downs to the Sea project in the South Downs are currently working to reconnect fragmented "blue spaces" to help species such as the endangered European eel survive increasingly extreme weather patterns.
• Major public events are scheduled at flagship locations such as Walthamstow Wetlands in London and the London Wetland Centre, where guided tours will showcase how urban reedbeds and marshes support thousands of migratory birds during the winter months.
• Research published in the Global Wetland Outlook warns that the UK has lost half of its ponds since 1900, prompting a surge in citizen science projects aimed at creating "mini-wetlands" in residential gardens to boost local biodiversity.

In the News and Trending in the UK for World Wetlands Day

Top things to do in the UK 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:
  Wetlands of Britain and Ireland: An Ecological Overview - by Peter Agnew and Jim Webb
  The Wetlands of Britain: A Guide to their Distributions, Importance, and Conservation - by C. Paul Chapman
• Visit the Martin Mere Wetland Centre: This wetland centre in Lancashire is another excellent place to visit. They organise activities like canoe safaris or exploration treks in the natural wetlands.