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An artistic celebration with a word of warning for World Wetlands Day

Over six hundred and fifty creative Australians celebrated World Wetlands Day on 2 February, in the International Year of Biodiversity, 2010 by expressing their passion and concern for Australia's magnificent wetlands through art. Each year the WetlandCare Australia National Art and Photography competition provides a growing number of unique Australians with the opportunity to convey a message about the environment in which they live.  This year's competition theme was Wetlands, Biodiversity and Climate Change.  All winning works are now on exhibition at the CSIRO Discovery Centre in Canberra until Friday February 12th.

Nicholas Duckworth, winner of the NSW Dept Environment Climate Change and Water Open Photography section with his image titled Wetland Safety Zone said "I want to convey to people who view my photography to be aware of the beauty that is around them in the natural world, not to take it for granted and hopefully, do what they can as individuals to maintain the environment for the future enjoyment of all".

Wetland ecosystems hold around 10% of the world's carbon and there is growing consensus that wetlands are more important as carbon stores that any other ecosystem.  In our fight against climate change, expanding efforts to protect these vital ecosystems is urgently needed. 

David O'Sullivan, Chair of WetlandCare Australia said "Our increasing population means that Australia's valuable wetlands are under continual threat of being lost or damaged from expanding development or being converted to agricultural land.  The importance of conserving wetlands in the fight to prevent increases in greenhouse gas emissions and our world from warming cannot be underestimated.  Our challenge to conserve and repair these precious ecosystems and promote their sustainable use as natural habitats is our mandate.   It's all about wetland wellbeing for all communities.

Over the last 10 years WetlandCare Australia has improved the implementation of the Ramsar Convention throughout the Oceania region, particularly in relation to the east Australia flyway for migratory shorebird conservation; improved the water quality flowing into the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area by working with landowners and stakeholders to reduce pollution; improved the capacity of over 4,500 farmers and landholders across eastern Australia in best practice aquatic ecosystem management, conservation and sustainable farm practices; and aided the recovery of Australia's unique wetland wildlife and their habitats including a number of protected fish, frog, bird and plant species.

David O'Sullivan, Chair of WetlandCare Australia said "The raising of awareness and understanding of the importance and function of wetlands is as important as the research and on ground work. WetlandCare Australia's dedicated team work tirelessly to do both. When significant progress is made it can always be traced back to someone who really cares and is prepared to act. Our greatest strength at WetlandCare Australia is how much we care".

For more information please contact WetlandCare Australia on (02) 6681 6169 or email ballina@wetlandcare.com.au