WORLD WETLANDS DAY

  • Read more about the call to action here www.worldwetlandsday.org

  • Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary is large freshwater swamp home to many plants and animals including “Lolong” the largest saltwater crocodile (Photo by: Rolly Urriza, Zoology Division)

  • Mudflats in Brgy. Taliptip, Bulakan Bulacan is also an important wintering ground of sea birds including some globally threatened species (Photo by: Jasmin Meren, Zoology Division)

  • Mudflats in Brgy. Taliptip, Bulakan Bulacan is coastal wetlands were locals get their long term livelihoods but will be greatly affected by future land reclamation (Photo by: Jasmin Meren, Zoology Division)

It’s WORLD WETLANDS DAY!

Join your #NationalMuseumPH in our call to take action for wetlands. With this year’s theme “Wetlands Action for People and Nature”, reminds us of the vital role of wetlands as a source of our livelihood, a cradle of biodiversity, water filtration system, water storage and effective carbon sink. 

Do you want to know more about our wetlands in the Philippines? 

A wetland is a unique ecosystem that is either permanently or seasonally flooded by water which creates conditions that favor the growth of specially adapted plants.

Wetlands are a crucial stopover for rare and endangered birds migrating from north to south during regular seasonal movement from breeding to wintering grounds. Protection of these interconnected wetlands in sea birds flyway route is the only way to safeguard their survival. 

This is one of the most neglected and degraded ecosystems which are disappearing faster than forests. Wetlands are greatly affected by unsustainable development, coastal land reclamation, pollution, alien invasive species and climate change. 

We can conserve our wetlands by setting aside important areas such as wildlife sanctuaries, protected areas or critical habitats which prohibits any destruction or alteration of the wetland ecosystem. We can also save our wetlands by proper disposal of our garbage, conserving water usage, volunteer in clean up drives and join in mangrove planting activities.

#ActForWetlands

#WorldWetlandsDay

Text and photos by National Museum of Natural History Divisions