Image related to website content

CapeNature celebrates World Wetlands Day 2022 in anticipation of the official Berg River Estuary Ramsar site declaration

31 Jan 2022

World Wetlands Day is recognised throughout the world on the 2nd of February each year. This special environmental calendar day marks the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an intergovernmental treaty with the mission to conserve wetlands.

It is also the first year the day will be observed as a United Nations International Day. The theme for 2022 “Action for People and Nature” highlights the importance of actions that ensure that wetlands are conserved and sustainably used. It is an appeal to invest financial, human and political capital to save the world’s wetlands from disappearing and to restore those that have been degraded.

This year, CapeNature celebrates a special World Wetlands Day in anticipation of the Berg River Estuary imminently being declared as a Ramsar site. By receiving Ramsar status, a wetland receives national and international recognition as a site of ecological importance which supports improved conservation action. The Berg River Estuary also forms the core conservation area of the West Coast Biosphere Reserve. All these different conservation layers or fields are used to complement each other and the Ramsar site management authority.

Dr Razeena Omar, CapeNature CEO, is proud of the work done by the entity as the management authority of the Berg River: “The conservation of ecosystems and species are dependent on the balance between freshwater and marine water from the ocean entering the estuary. To date, this balance has been maintained, so much so that the overall site has been recognised for its exceptional value in terms of ecosystem and species diversity. The Ramsar site declaration is effectively a global recognition of this.”

World Wetlands Day brings together communities and partners to celebrate these powerful ecological systems. This speaks directly to this year’s theme “Action for people and nature”. Wetlands in general can provide food, areas to sustainably harvest weaving materials, tourism opportunities, opportunities to create a local economy, recreation and often are places of spiritual and heritage significance.

CapeNature considers the conservation of wetlands a critical aspect of its conservation work. Some ways in which the public can also contribute to the protection of wetlands include, planting appropriate indigenous plants in natural areas, refraining from littering, making use of recycled products, abstaining from disturbing any indigenous animals in nature, using water sparingly and acting as ambassadors for wetlands within their communities.

For more information on Ramsar visit www.ramsar.org.

Image related to website content
Share:

Related News

Anysberg Nature Reserve copyright Scott N Ramsay www yearinthewild com 40
14 Jul 2025
How biodiversity crime threatens the Western Cape’s people, economy, and ecosystems

Biodiversity crime may sound like something intangible compared to other crimes encountered on a daily basis in our lives, but it is a very real and growing threat to our planet’s delicate ecosystems. It includes any illegal activity that harms plants, animals, or the ecosystems they depend on from high-profile crimes like rhino poaching to illegal plant trade in the Western Cape. It can even be something as simple as picking wildflowers in a nature reserve without permission or a permit.

Leopard
10 Jul 2025
Young leopard dies after being caught in gin traps near Heidelberg

CapeNature can confirm the death of a young leopard following a call to assist in a rescue operation on 2 July in the Heidelberg area, near the World Heritage Site of Boosmansbos.

Officials discovered a young 13 kg male leopard, estimated to be around six months old, ensnared in two gin traps set adjacent to each other. One front paw and one hind leg were caught. Despite the best efforts of the rescue team, the leopard did not survive.

Whats App Image 2025 04 25 at 19 14 07 2
9 Jul 2025
Darwin200 Young Leaders & CapeNature Launch Inspiring Documentaries

Three DARWIN200 young leaders worked hand in hand with CapeNature to produce awe-inspiring and heartwarming videos on the Cape vulture colony of Potberg, the bontebok at De Hoop Nature Reserve and the invasive carp at Groenvlei. Click read more to watch the videos.

White rhino
9 Jul 2025
Three Arrested for Illegal Rhino Horn Trade

On Wednesday, 2 July 2025, the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigations (Hawks) assisted by SAPS K9 Unit, Overberg and Stock Theft and Endangered Species based in Swellendam, executed an undercover operation at Buffeljags River, N2 route outside of Swellendam.

Three suspects were arrested after being found in possession of the rhino horn and engaged in a transaction to sell the rhino horn during an undercover operation. CapeNature officials were contacted to assist in the further investigation of the case, which was subsequently registered at the Swellendam Police Station.

BOCMA Capacity building Rhett Smart
3 Jul 2025 by Rhett Smart
BOCMA & CapeNature Boost Water Sustainability

On 8 May 2025 a capacity building event was held at the Barn Owl Conference Venue in Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve provided by the Breede Olifants Catchment Management Agency (BOCMA) to CapeNature staff from Landscape South and Central. BOCMA are responsible for implementing the National Water Act (NWA) within the Breede and Gouritz catchments, which regulates water use. A similar event was held in Oudtshoorn with the Landscape East staff on 23 May 2025. Water is an essential natural resource that requires responsible management to ensure the sustainability of the resource both for human use and ecological function.

Marine Dynamics crowned winner of the ATTA Marine Impact Award Image 1
1 Jul 2025
Marine Dynamics Wins ATTA® Award

Marine Dynamics Shark and Whale Tours has been honoured with the ATTA® Marine Impact Award during the Experience Africa Travel Conference in London on 23 June 2025. The award recognises organisations making a tangible difference in protecting Africa’s marine and coastal environments while fostering long-term community benefits.