World Wetlands Day - Thursday February 2 “2 February each year is World Wetlands Day. It marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Each year since 1997, government agencies, non- governmental organizations, and groups of citizens at all levels of the community have taken advantage of the opportunity to undertake actions aimed at raising public awareness of wetland values and benefits in general, and the Ramsar Convention in particular. Wetland Tourism: A Great Experience The World Wetlands Day theme for 2012 is Wetlands and Tourism and is linked to the theme for the next meeting of the Conference of the Parties, COP11: Wetlands, Tourism and Recreation, which will take place in July 2012, in Bucharest, Romania. Wetland tourism has benefits both locally and nationally for people and wildlife - benefits such as stronger economies, sustainable livelihoods, healthy people and thriving ecosystems. At least 35% of Ramsar Sites around the world record some level of tourism activity and this percentage is consistent throughout all regions. Of course it is important to consider tourism in all wetlands - not just those designated as Ramsar Sites - since the Contracting Parties to the Convention are committed to managing all wetlands. It is worth noting that tourism is only one of the services that wetlands deliver. Ensuring well-managed tourism practices in and around wetlands and educating tourists on the value of wetlands contributes to the health of the world's wetlands and the long-term benefits that wetlands provide to people, wildlife, economics, and biodiversity. Visit www.RAMSAR.org for more information HOW is ANGUILLA PARTICIPATING? By mid-February, the Department of Environment would have commenced research on the various wetland sites of Anguilla; towards revising the island’s National Wetlands Policy for effective environmental management. Wetlands include ponds, flood plains, coastal marshes and some near-shore reef systems. The research will look at the ecological significance and economic benefits of the various wetland sites. • HABITAT MAPPING - field study by the staff of the department commences soon for the entire archipelago of Anguilla... Work Programmes • Caves of Anguilla • Coral Reef Bio-Rock conservation • Dune Rehbailittion • Nature Trail • CITES/TESA • Native Tree • EPA Bill All Rights Reserved Department of Environment, Government of Anguilla © 2011 Website Conditions of Use twitter DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT - ANGUILLA B.W.I. Education & Awareness Schools & Kids Outreach Corner Press Releases Biodiversity Habitat Mapping Wetlands Caves Invasive Species News & Updates Valley Nature Reserve Pollution Policy & Legislation CITES Wetlands Sustainable Development Climate Change Heritage Protected Areas Sombrero National Park CO2 Emissions Pollution Pollution EIA’s Development Reviews Pesticides Research Caves Coastal Management Deputy Director I NEMS Review Legislation MEA’s Policy Invasive Species Little Scrub Dog Island Administrative Contacting Us Visiting the Office Office Hours Arranging a Meeting Payment for Services Deputy Director II Habitat Mapping Valley Reserve Biodiversity Soils Public Awareness Schools & Kids E-Learning Activity Calendar Green Calendar Days Outreach CornerPress Releases Brochures, Posters & Banners Our Library Newsletter About Us From the Director CITES State of the Environment Reports & Copies Funding & Grants Projects Internships and Attachment Partners Tel: +(264) 497 0217 Fax: +(264) 497 3389 Email: environment@gov.ai Administrative Office Ministry of Home Affairs The Secretariat - Valley Mail by Post P. O. Box 60, The Valley Anguilla BWI AI-2640 Nature Trails, Research, Heritage Alley Nature Reserve in the Valley 2012 Updatess Continue >> WORLD WETLANDS DAY Thursday February 2 Download Poster Download Flyer >> Euan P. McFarlane Environmental Leadership Award >> Tourism Master Plan launched with heritage and environment included. >> CLIMATE CHANGE SPECIALIST - Two new additions for the DOE Mr. Clint Lake (Coastal Engineer) & Ms. Sharmer Fleming (Climate Change Management). >> NEW PERMANENT SECRETARY - with responsibility for environmental management supports robust environmental monitoring... Anguilla’s Beaches Ready for 2012 Tourism Season To learn more about Anguilla, and how you can find yourself on one of the best beaches in the world, go to the tourism Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ivisitanguilla You may also visit the website at www.ivisitanguilla.com , or contact your local marketing representative in the USA, Canada , United Kingdom, Italy, Germany and Puerto Rico/Latin America. HEADLINES HOME POLLUTION AWARENESS CORNER BIODIVERSITY ADMINSTRATIVE SCHOOLS & KIDS DATABASE