The World wetlands day - February 2nd celebrates the date of the adoption of the Ramsar Convention in 1971.
The term “wetland” refers to all inland waters (lakes, dams, swamps, rivers, peatlands, etc.), coastal water basins (lagoons, estuaries), as well as artificial ones (paddy fields and fishponds). 40 % of all animal and plant species inhabit wetlands and use them as a source of food, as well as breeding grounds. Coastal wetlands are richest in biodiversity. However, since 1970, the world has lost 35% of its wetlands. There are a number of reasons such as: drainage for agricultural purposes and construction; over-exploitation of resources; invasive species and climate change. We have lost 60% of the populations of fish, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, and today 25% of the remaining species are endangered.
This year's campaign motto is "Wetlands and Biodiversity", and the purpose of the information campaign is to focus public attention on the importance of wetlands and to promote their restoration, conservation and sustainable use.
* The Ramsar Convention is the only global agreement that focuses on a specific ecosystem - that of wetlands. Today, the convention has been adopted by 171 Contracting Parties, obliged to list wetlands of high conservation value on the list of Wetlands of International Importance - Ramsar Sites. By signing the treaty, the parties still agree to use the wetlands wisely and cooperate on cross-border issues.
The term “wetland” refers to all inland waters (lakes, dams, swamps, rivers, peatlands, etc.), coastal water basins (lagoons, estuaries), as well as artificial ones (paddy fields and fishponds). 40 % of all animal and plant species inhabit wetlands and use them as a source of food, as well as breeding grounds. Coastal wetlands are richest in biodiversity. However, since 1970, the world has lost 35% of its wetlands. There are a number of reasons such as: drainage for agricultural purposes and construction; over-exploitation of resources; invasive species and climate change. We have lost 60% of the populations of fish, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, and today 25% of the remaining species are endangered.
This year's campaign motto is "Wetlands and Biodiversity", and the purpose of the information campaign is to focus public attention on the importance of wetlands and to promote their restoration, conservation and sustainable use.
* The Ramsar Convention is the only global agreement that focuses on a specific ecosystem - that of wetlands. Today, the convention has been adopted by 171 Contracting Parties, obliged to list wetlands of high conservation value on the list of Wetlands of International Importance - Ramsar Sites. By signing the treaty, the parties still agree to use the wetlands wisely and cooperate on cross-border issues.
In Bulgaria, the Ramsar Convention came into force in 1976. The first two sites are the Srebarna and Arkutino Complex (Ropotamo Complex), and today there are 9 more - the Belene Islands Complex, Ibisha Island, Durankulak Lake, Lake Shabla, Pomorie Lake and the estuary of the Aheloy River, Atanasovsko Lake, Burgas Lake, Site Poda and Foros Bay, Dragoman Marsh Karst Complex. Green Balkans has been celebrating the World Wetlands Day for over 15 years by organizing various events. Below you can see how and where you can get involved in celebrating this significant ecological date.
World Wetlands Day Events
31/01/2020 (Friday)
Green Education Center, Shabla
• Joint initiative of Green Balkans and the Green Education Center, Shabla. The event starts at 3:30 pm - students from "Yordan Yovkov" Primary School, Kavarna and children from Municipal Children Complex - Shabla will participate in information and educational activities.
You can also join our Facebook event.
Contacts:
Shabla Green Education Center - +35957434200
Green Balkans - Polina Hristova - +359882508721
01/02 - 02/02/2020 (Saturday and Sunday)
Volunteers weekend
• Volunteers along with the Green Balkans teams from Plovdiv and the Wildlife Rescue Center will conduct a study visit to the area of Shabla and Durankulak Lake, including monitoring of wintering waterfowl species and monitoring of the Black Sea coast for cetaceans washed ashore.
Contact:
Green Balkans - Polina Hristova - +359882508721
02/02/2020 (Sunday)
Regional Museum of Natural History, Plovdiv
• The World Wetlands Day will be celebrated with an art atelier, interesting presentation, a fun quiz and an educational game with magnetic figures - the inhabitants of Pomorie Lake and a movie about the biodiversity of wetlands around the world.
Program:
11:00 – 12:00 Wetlands Biodiversity Atelier;
12:00 – 12:15 Presentation "Why Are Wetlands on Earth Important?";
12:15 – 12:45 An educational game about the Pomorie Lake and species that inhabit it;
13:00 – 13:30 Fun quiz with prizes;
13:30 – 14:00 A movie about the biodiversity in wetlands around the world.
As part of the information campaign, an exhibition will be held at the Regional Museum of Natural History for the Conservation of the globally endangered Red-breasted goose (Branta ruficollis), by Green Balkans. Visitors will be able to see the exhibition at the Marine Aquarium.
Contact:
Regional Museum of Natural History - Plovdiv - Svetozara Kazandzhieva - +359886 120 449; email: lightzara.k@gmail.com
07/02/2020 (Friday)
• Monitoring of waterfowl species on Ovcharitsa Dam – a joint event of Green Balkans, Radnevo Municipality and students of the local schools.
Contact:
Green Balkans - Polya Ruseva - +359894 059156
13/02/2020 (Monday)
Field trip lesson and monitoring of the biodiversity of the Maritsa River
• RIEW - Plovdiv and Green Balkans will mark the date with a field trip lesson and observation of the biodiversity of the Maritsa River. At 13:30 classes will be held with students from the village of Graf Ignatievo.
For additional information and to participate in the event you may contact:
Miloslava Mihaylova - RIEW - Plovdiv - riosv_pd_pr@abv.bg, mob.number - +359882388720
Polina Hristova - Green Balkans - phristova@greenbalkans.org, mob.number - +359882508721
21/02/2020 (Friday)
• Monitoring of waterfowl species on Rozov kladenets Dam – a joint event of Green Balkans, Radnevo Municipality and students of the local schools.
Contact:
Green Balkans - Polya Ruseva - +359894 059156
The activities are carried out within:
