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        • Australian Ramsar management principles
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Wetlands

Wetlands are a critical part of our natural environment. They protect our shores from wave action, reduce the impacts of floods, absorb pollutants and improve water quality. They provide habitat for animals and plants and many contain a wide diversity of life, supporting plants and animals that are found nowhere else.

Australia currently has 67 Ramsar wetlands listed as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

The Department, through the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office, is the administrative authority within Australia for the Ramsar Convention.

About wetlands

Black Swans in the wetlands
  • What are wetlands
  • Wetlands Hot Topics
  • Wetland publications

Ramsar convention

Wetlands along the Murray River near Renmark.
  • Ramsar convention on wetlands
  • Ramsar documents
  • Australian National Guidelines for Ramsar wetlands
  • Implementation of the National ECD Framework
  • Criteria for identifying Wetlands of International Importance
  • Cobourg Peninsula, Northern Territory - the world's first Ramsar site

Managing wetlands

Sunset over Kakadu National Park
  • Who manages Australia's Wetlands
  • Australian Ramsar management principles
  • What can I do?

Australian Wetlands Database

Coongie Lake Ramsar wetland
  • About the Australian Wetlands Database
  • Australian Ramsar Wetlands
  • Directory of important wetlands in Australia

Wetlands programs

Mangrove at low tide at the Roebuck Bay wetlands area
  • Australian Government Wetlands programs
  • Australian wetland education centres
  • Communication, Education, Participation and Awareness Programme
  • Queensland Wetlands Program

World Wetlands Day

Pick Pond in the Piccaninnie Ponds Wetlands

World Wetlands Day is celebrated internationally each year on 2 February

  • World Wetlands Day
  • Discovering wetlands in Australia — a primary classroom resource

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Wetlands Australia

The National Wetlands Update

  • Subscribe to the Wetlands Australia e-newsletter

Find an Australian Ramsar wetland

Search for Australian Ramsar site by name:

or go to:
Advanced search
or
A-Z Ramsar site list

Video about Piccaninnie Ponds

Latest video

The 862 hectare Piccaninnie Ponds Karst Wetlands are an outstanding example of globally rare fen and karst wetland types.

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Last updated: 01 February 2023

© Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.