Water Is Life!
Every March 22nd, the world celebrates water in all its myriad forms. This year’s World Water Day theme is Glacier Preservation and protecting our frozen water resources for future use. While this theme is important to life all over the world, here in Canada it is vital, as our country is home to the Canadian Arctic and the Rocky Mountains, both landscapes that rely heavily on the conservation of this frozen resource.
Here at Water Docs, this annual observance is near and dear to our watery hearts, and as we are blessed to live in a country of vast water resources, freshwater and wetlands are also something we cannot take for granted.
Protecting wetlands for our common future
A focus on Canada's vital ecosystems
Every February 2nd, individuals across the globe celebrate World Wetlands Day, recognizing the critical role wetlands play in our environment.
This day marks the anniversary of the “Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat”, signed in 1971, which promotes the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands worldwide. This year, the theme Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future highlights the urgent need to protect these ecosystems for future generations.
The importance of wetlands
Wetlands are areas where water covers the land, or is present near the surface, for extended periods. They include marshes, swamps, bogs, and fens, which serve as nature’s water filters, flood barriers, and carbon storage units. Wetlands also support a diverse range of species, including birds, fish, and amphibians, making them biodiversity hotspots.
Wetlands in Canada
Canada is home to approximately 1.29 million km² of wetlands - about 13 per cent of its total land area and 25 per cent of the world’s remaining wetlands. These ecosystems are especially concentrated in the Hudson Plains, a vast peatland supporting migratory birds, as well as the Boreal Shield, a significant carbon sink crucial for climate regulation. The Indigenous peoples of the area understand the significance of this peatland and refer to it as The Breathing Lands.
The Peace–Athabasca Delta, one of the world’s largest freshwater deltas, is also recognized as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. However, despite their ecological importance, wetlands face increasing threats from urban development, pollution, and the effects of the climate crisis, leading to their rapid deterioration.
Protecting our wetlands is critical
Wetlands provide essential benefits, including:
Water filtration: Removing pollutants and improving water quality
Flood control: Absorbing excess rainfall and reducing flood damage
Climate change mitigation: Storing large amounts of carbon
Biodiversity conservation: Providing habitat for countless species
How can you help?
Want to take action to protect Canadian wetlands?
You can start by:
Participating in World Wetlands Day events: Look for community initiatives near you and get involved
Supporting conservation organizations: Groups like Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada work to protect wetlands
Adopting sustainable practices: Reduce your water pollution, advocate for wetland-friendly policies, and support responsible land use
Canada’s wetlands are invaluable, and their preservation requires collective action. Take a moment to appreciate these ecosystems and consider what you can do to protect them, even if the action is small. Through our joint efforts, we can ensure that wetlands continue to support biodiversity, mitigate effects of the climate crisis, and sustain life for future generations.
