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Celebrating World Wetlands Day

World Wetlands Day is being celebrated today by countries around the globe, and will be marked by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) with the appointment of a new Wetlands project officer for the Gippsland Lakes.

By Department of Sustainability and Environment - 3rd February 2004 - Back to News

The day marks the anniversary of the signing of the international Convention on Wetlands in Ramsar, Iran, on 2 February 1971, which is dedicated to the conservation of the significant environmental areas.

DSE Secretary Lyndsay Neilson, said that the theme for World Wetlands Day 2004, ‘Water for Wetlands – Water for Life’, emphasised why valuing our water resources was important.

"Wetlands, like those found around the Gippsland Lakes, are vital habitat for many forms of life, including plants, fish, amphibians and waterbirds," Professor Neilson said.

"We are working to protect the long-term health of the Gippsland Lakes through the Gippsland Lakes Future Directions and Action Plan, released by the State Government in 2002."

The Action Plan aims to reduce polluting nutrients entering the Lakes by 40 per cent by 2022.

Over $3 million in funding was announced by the Environment Minister in January 2004 for 30 projects this financial year, as part of the four year, $12.8 million Action Plan package.

"One of the key projects this year will be the ‘Wetlands Protection Program’ which will provide $122,000 for the indexing of current wetland conditions," said Professor Neilson.

"A new project officer has been appointed to run the project, which will measure health improvements of the wetlands in and around the Gippsland Lakes."

Victoria currently has 11 wetlands listed under the Ramsar Convention, with most of these wetlands located on public or crown land.

Professor Neilson said that several of Victoria’s coastal wetlands were important stopover locations for migratory birds, known as international ‘flyways’.

"The Gippsland Lakes are recognised nationally and internationally under the Ramsar Convention and migratory birds agreements," he said.

"Birds from as far as Japan, Siberia and the North Pole travel to the Lakes each year for the summer – meaning we are custodians of a very important habitat."

For more information about the Gippsland Lakes Future Directions and Action Plan, visit www.gcb.vic.gov.au/gippslandlakes

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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