World Wetlands Day – 2 February 2022

World Wetlands Day is an opportunity to coordinate global, national and local efforts to raise awareness about wetlands.

Nearly 90% of the world’s wetlands have been degraded since the 1700s, and we are losing wetlands three times faster than forests. Yet, wetlands are critically important ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity, climate mitigation and adaptation, freshwater availability, world economies and more. It is urgent that we raise national and global awareness about wetlands in order to reverse their rapid loss and encourage actions to conserve and restore them. World Wetlands Day is the ideal time to increase people’s understanding of these critically important ecosystems.

This is an urgent call to act.  It is an appeal to invest financial, human and political capital in order to save the world’s wetlands from disappearing altogether — and to restore those we have already lost.

Ramsar Site Guided Events

Events hosted by the Irish Ramsar Wetlands Committee are listed on the Events Map. These events are taking place at Ramsar sites and other wetlands around the country for World Wetlands Day. Sign up for events on the map.

Other Events

Events hosted by community groups and other organisations are also shown on the map and all events and resources are listed in the Events List.

Register an Event

Event registration closed.

We need to Value, Manage, Restore, and of course — Love — Wetlands

  • Value wetlands for the multiple benefits and nature-based solutions they provide for human well-being and a healthy planet.
  • Manage wetlands wisely and use them sustainably so we can conserve them and maintain the health of these critically important ecosystems.
  • Restore lost and degraded wetlands to revive the rich biodiversity and life found in these life-sustaining ecosystems.

The world has lost 85% of its wetlands since the 1700s, and they are disappearing three times faster than forests. During this United Nations Decade on Restoration — and by 2030 — we need to reverse the decline of natural wetlands.

Wetland Snapshot

The Irish Wetlands Video Series

In 2021 to celebrate 50 years since the signing of the Ramsar Convention the Irish Ramsar Wetlands Committee was delighted to launch the IRISH WETLANDS VIDEO SERIES.

View the series