As lovers of our Lakes, we know that wetlands play a number of important roles in the ecological health and recreational richness of our communities.
World Wetlands Day, celebrated every year on February 2, promotes global awareness about the importance of wetlands for humanity and the planet, and marks the date of the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971.
With so many ecologically and recreationally important wetlands in our region, including Ramsar-listed Gippsland Lakes, there are many reasons to get involved.
Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction is the 2017 World Wetlands Day theme, raising awareness of the significant role played by wetlands in reducing the impact of extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and cyclones.
Scientists estimate that at least 64 per cent of the world’s wetlands have disappeared since 1900. Meanwhile, the frequency of worldwide disasters has more than doubled in just 35 years, driven by climate- and weather-related hazards.
Loving our wetlands
In Australia we love being near the water, and there are many ways we can get involved in looking after the wetlands and waterways that add so much richness to our lives.
Joining a local Landcare Group will contribute to the care for the catchment area of your favourite wetlands and there are many other relevant groups that contribute. The Gippsland Lakes Care Group Network is comprised of Landcare, Trust for Nature, Greening Australia Gippsland, Fishcare, Birdlife East Gippsland and Gippsland Plains and East Gippsland Rainforest Conservation Management Networks.
In the past five years, surveys conducted by BirdLife East Gippsland discovered previously unknown populations of birds, as well as more than 10 nationally listed Growling Grass Frogs; a focus on the restoration of riparian zones led to the discovery of a site of ecological significance where Littoral and Warm Temperate rainforest communities overlap, and a project managed by Trust For Nature saw the threatened Purple Diuris Orchid propagated, planted out and increased in numbers from 80 to 800.
But you don’t have to get involved with a formal group to help look after your local wetlands. Next time you are out enjoying them, take your rubbish with you and pick up anything left behind by others, ensure any dogs are kept on their leads and stick to the path so you aren’t damaging plants or habitat.
If you see something special, like a rare animal or plant, take a photo if possible and report it to the relevant authorities. You can become a Gippsland Lakes Citizen Scientist and help researchers in their quest to learn more about the Burrunan Dolphin, the Australian native water rat, platypus, Green and Golden Bell Frog or Growling Frog.
For information on World Wetlands Day and how you can get involved, or to register an event, head to www.worldwetlandsday.org
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