françaisespanolenglish		  
Brown Pelican CREDIT: PATRICIO ROBLES GIL Canada Geese CREDIT: THOMAS D. MANGELSEN Mallard CREDIT: PATRICIO ROBLES GIL Resplendent Quetzal CREDIT: FULVIO ECCARDI  
Western Sandpipers, Bécasseau d'Alaska, Playeros occidentales (plural: Bécasseaux d'Alaska) CREDIT: PATRICIO ROBLES GIL American Redstart, Paruline flamboyante, Chipe flameante CREDIT: MICHAEL STUBBLEFIELD Magnificent Frigatebird Frégate superbe, Fragata magnífica, CREDIT: PATRICIO ROBLES GIL Sandhill Cranes, Grue du Canada, Grullas grises (plural: Grues du Canada) CREDIT: ARTHUR MORRIS Osprey, Balbuzard pêcheur, Gavilán pescador CREDIT: PATRICIO ROBLES GIL

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Ramsar Convention

The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. There are presently 154 Contracting Parties to the Convention, with 1651 wetland sites, totaling 149.7 million hectares, designated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.

Contracting Parties (member countries) commit themselves to:

  • Designate at least one wetland that meets the criteria for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance ("Ramsar List") and ensure the maintenance of the ecological character of each of these "Ramsar Sites". Parties are encouraged to include in the List as many wetlands that meet the criteria as possible. Listed sites do not necessarily require protected area legal status, provided their ecological character is maintained through a wise use approach;
  • Promote the wise use of all wetlands within their territory through their national land-use planning, including wetland conservation and management;
  • Promote training in wetland research, management and wise use;
  • Consult with other Parties about the implementation of the Convention, especially with regard to transfrontier wetlands, shared water systems, shared species, and development projects that may affect wetlands.