Ramsar Week celebrates local wetlands

THE community will have the opportunity to explore Swan Bay by canoe, hunt for the elusive Corangamite water skink and take a walk on Country with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners as part of this year’s Ramsar Week.

Running from March 17-21 and hosted by Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA), the week-long event celebrates the region’s internationally significant Ramsar wetland sites with a series of fun, informative and free events.

Corangamite CMA’s biodiversity project officer Hannah Wiggs said Ramsar Week, which is now in its second year, is about encouraging community involvement and enhancing understanding and awareness of the region’s crucial wetlands.

“We are fortunate to have two Ramsar-listed wetland systems within the Corangamite CMA region,” she said.

“They are the Port Phillip Bay (Western Shoreline) and Bellarine Peninsula site that covers approximately 22,694 hectares near Geelong, and the Western District Lakes site covering approximately 32,898 hectares near Camperdown.”

These sites have been designated wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental treaty aimed at preventing the loss of wetland sites around the world.

Wetlands achieve this designation if they are considered rare or unique or play an important role in conserving biological diversity.

Ms Wiggs said the region’s local Ramsar sites are two of the world’s most important wetland systems.

They hold international significance for migratory birds and provide habitat for several threatened species.

“Sharing knowledge about the significance of these ecosystems fosters respect and understanding and ultimately the protection of the wetlands and their inhabitants,” Ms Wiggs said.

“We are thrilled to be hosting a series of events where people can learn more about our ecologically significant wetlands through hands-on activities at the wetlands.”

For the full program of events or to secure your tickets, head to ccma.vic.gov.au/ramsar-week