Australia’s wet summer is bringing new life to many of our precious wetlands, with mass waterbird breeding across the nation’s 8.37-million-hectare network of internationally recognised Ramsar sites.
Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said that World Wetlands Day brings focus to the way many of these precious areas are recovering from long term drought, and the ways environmental water, the National Environmental Science Program and the Regional Landcare Partnerships are helping that process in partnership with local communities.
“Our Ramsar Wetlands are internationally renowned and the addition of the Caryapundy Swamp in north-west NSW last December highlights the increasing recognition of their importance,” Minister Ley said.
“This World Wetlands Day coincides with reports of a baby boom for birds, including threatened species, in sites across the country.
“Fly-overs of the Gwydir Wetlands in New South Wales have sighted over 10,000 waterbird nests, the most significant waterbird colonies present since 2012.
“These include freckled ducks, magpie geese, black-necked storks and blue-billed ducks.
More than 2000 Straw-necked ibis have been observed at core breeding sites at Narran Lakes, and Macquarie Marshes is brimming with life with egrets herons, ibis and ducks flocking to the wetlands.”
Coinciding with World Wetlands Day, the Morrison Government is also raising awareness about the future of these habitats appointing its first Youth Ambassador under the Ramsar convention.
Thirty-year-old conservation scientist Dylan Jones will be the inaugural Ramsar Australian Youth Focal Point appointee, helping to ensure youth perspectives are captured in Australia’s implementation of the convention.
