Revive and Restore Wetlands for Future Generations
World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on 2 February. It marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971 and it was first celebrated in 1997. This day is celebrated to raise public awareness about the importance and value of wetlands. The theme for this year is “Wetland Restoration.”
Globally, at least 35% of wetlands have vanished since 1970, making them ecosystems the most threatened of all ecosystems. Despite the numerous ecosystem services provided by wetlands, these systems are mostly degraded by human activity when they are drained or filled for agricultural or urban building purposes. Our wetlands are also being degraded by overfishing, invasive species, and water pollution. These wetlands must consequently be revived and restored.
Many of the negative impacts of wetlands degradation can be reversed by restoration. Restoring wetlands has many advantages, such as boosting eco-tourism, filtering the water supply, and lessening the effects of floods and storms. A restored wetland also makes it easier for people to make a living by providing them with grass, reeds, and a place to fish.
CapeNature has managed two very successful wetland rehabilitation projects that prove restoration is possible. The entity and Working for Wetlands collaborated in October 2006 to restore Verlorenvlei wetland by removing obstructions to water flow, reducing sediment, and clearing alien vegetation. In addition, a bird hide was constructed in 2007 to increase tourism and provide public access to the area.
Another, the Goukou-Duivenhoks wetlands project, which has been active for ten years has also been a great success to date. It aims to save this threatened ecosystem by improving water storage and quality and protecting the habitat and its species. This project has increased the community's employment opportunities, increased tourism, and will continue to have a positive impact on the environment. Working for wetland has also been working on the rehabilitating artificial drainage line or eroded water channel to revive the wetland system to its original state at Groot Winter Hoek Nature Reserve managed by CapeNature
This year, CapeNature encourages residents to revitalize and repair degraded wetland areas. A wetland region should not be dredged, planted with exotic plants, or polluted Instead, plant native plants, report illegal dumping, and restore deteriorated areas.
Related News
Wildfires intensify as climate shifts, CapeNature warns in emergency podcast series
CapeNature has released a special series of its acclaimed Green Noise podcast, offering an urgent and deeply human perspective on South Africa’s recent wildfire season. The series has a particular focus on the devastating fires in the Cederberg Wilderness and changing weather patterns. The fire in the Cederberg Wilderness, which ignited on 22 December 2025 along Uitkyk Pass
Western Cape to benefit from CapeNature’s 2026 Greening Initiative
CapeNature is launching a fun and engaging greening competition for schools and communities across the Western Cape. The competition will start on 13 April 2026 to coincide with International Plant Appreciation Day and will run until 15 May 2026. The initiative aims to inspire learners and community members to actively participate in protecting the environment.
A follow up: The potential impacts of Red Swamp crayfish in Western Cape waters
Since first being found in the canal systems of lower Olifants River in 2022 by CapeNature officials, invasive Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) are being found further afield in the Western Cape at an alarming rate. This freshwater species is globally recognised as a seriously damaging invasive species.
Over 43 000 Cape Gannets on Lambert’s Bay Bird Island this breeding season
Bird Island is alive with the sounds and spectacle of seabirds, with an estimated over 43 000 Cape Gannets currently making the island their home this breeding season. The thriving colony reinforces Bird Island, Lambert’s Bay, as one of South Africa’s most important gannet breeding sites and highlights the impact of ongoing marine conservation work.
Water Week: Protecting Our Most Precious Resource
Water is fundamental to life and essential to our daily wellbeing. While this may seem widely understood, it remains important to continually remind ourselves of the value of this finite resource. Although approximately 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, only about 2.5% of it is freshwater available to sustain ecosystems and human needs.
New SASS accreditor supports river biomonitoring in the Western Cape
CapeNature continues to strengthen its role in freshwater conservation through the expertise of its staff, with freshwater ecologist Jeanne Gouws receiving her South African Scoring System (SASS) accreditation as an accreditor. Having successfully passed every three-yearly assessment since 2007, she is now the official Western Cape SASS accreditor.