World Wetlands Day 2024

Saint Lucia joins the rest of the world in observing February 02nd as World Wetlands Day and commemorating the signing of the Ramsar Convention. The Convention promotes integrated approaches to managing wetland ecosystems to retain their natural values while ensuring appropriate human use for future generations.
Wetlands are among the most dynamic Ecosystems on earth and are critical components of the water cycle that delivers our fresh water. Saint Lucia, like many Caribbean Islands, is blessed with diverse types of wetlands that contribute to the water cycle by purifying water and aiding precipitation. These vital ecosystems are home to 40 percent of the world’s species. Flood mitigation, livelihoods, and recreation are among the multiplicity of vital functions of wetlands. They also play a crucial role in climate change.
The adverse impact of climate change as well as rapid human growth and unsustainable practices, however, have led to accelerated loss of wetlands. This means continuous biodiversity loss, with ecosystems disappearing three times faster than forests. Much of the flora and fauna found in wetlands are thus at risk of extinction.
This year the Theme is “Wetlands and Human well-being. “
With wetlands and their inhabitants at risk, it is essential to take action in support of wetlands preservation and restoration using financial, human, and political resources. Measures that can be taken to help our wetlands include purchasing organic, eco-friendly, and sustainable products to reduce pollution, conserving water, planting native flora, creating habitats for wildlife participating in citizen projects and initiatives that promote healthy wetland vegetation, and limiting the use of chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides or fungicides and use organic remedies instead.

To commemorate World Wetlands Day 2024 the Forestry Division will engage schools in studying the Ecology of Ma Kote mangrove, commission a national debate on the effects of Sargassum on the nation, Senior staff field trip up the Pierrot ravine that traditionally feeds fresh water into Ma Kote mangrove, adoption of several wetlands on private property, administer a wetland questionnaire and a search for the common moorhen (waterfowl).

It is our pledge to undertake adaptation and mitigation activities to restore wetlands and increase resilience against the impacts of climate change.

As we continue to observe World Wetlands Day, The Forestry Division encourages the public to make smart choices and engage in actions such as flood mitigation, storm protection, because if we lose our wetlands, not only do we stand to lose the vital natural services they provide, but we lose one of our key weapons in the fight against climate change.