Wetlands: Sacred. Life-sustaining. A timeless legacy. Ours to protect.

Advocating with key campaign messages



Wetlands are crucial for ensuring climate stability, water and food security, biodiversity and community resilience. Yet, wetlands are being lost to development faster than they’re being restored or protected. According to the  – Global Wetland Outlook 2025 “The 1,425 million hectares of remaining wetlands give an estimated  $7.98 trillion to $39.01 trillion in benefits to people every year."; People have coexisted with wetlands since prehistory, making use of their beneficial services while averting unintended consequences. Over time, a valuable depth of traditional knowledge has been deduced, shared and has subsequently evolved. The World Wetlands Day 2026 campaign recognises that traditional knowledge bridges wisdom from the past to present and future stewardship of these vital ecosystems. Three fundamental messages guide this year’s campaign communications. We invite you to adapt them for your particular area and to share them widely to encourage participation inWorld Wetlands Day 2026.

1. Wetlands are essential ecosystems that sustain rich biodiversity and also serve as cradles of cultural heritage and living traditions, particularly for Indigenous Peoples and local communities. 

2. Integrating traditional knowledge into conservation strategies enhances wetland protection and fosters inclusive, community-based approaches that recognise and respect longstanding ecological wisdom. 

3. The degradation of wetlands undermines human wellbeing, impacts human rights, and erodes traditional knowledge systems. Immediate and scaled-up action is critical to safeguard cultural heritage and to sustain the traditional knowledge systems that have long protected these highly productive ecosystems.



Location: Ramsar, Mazandaran Province, Iran

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