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2 February 2025
Five key action areas for cities to join the global movement to protect wetlands
Cities are uniquely positioned to drive local action to protect our wetlands.
While wetland ecosystems are increasingly being recognized as highly valuable natural assets that provide a wide range of benefits to urban communities, the services they provide are under immense pressure due to rapid urban expansion and human activity. Cities are uniquely positioned to drive local action to protect our wetlands.
Below are five key action areas for cities to mobilize urban communities for wetlands:
1
Incorporate wetland conservation into urban planning and policy
Integrate wetland management goals into municipal development plans, zoning regulations, and climate resilience strategies.
Advocate for wetlands as critical infrastructure in disaster risk management, emphasizing their role in flood mitigation, erosion control, and urban cooling.
Allocate funding for wetland restoration and maintenance as part of city budgets.
2
Promote the role of wetlands in water resource management
Highlight wetlands’ function as natural water filters, improving water quality for drinking and sanitation.
Educate communities about the importance of wetlands in regulating stream flow, preventing floods, and mitigating droughts.
Encourage partnerships between cities and water utilities to protect wetlands as vital water supply sources.
3
Foster public engagement and education
Organize events such as guided wetland tours, birdwatching activities, and clean-up drives to connect urban communities with local wetlands.
Collaborate with schools and universities to use wetlands as outdoor classrooms for environmental education.
Celebrate World Wetlands Day by showcasing wetlands’ cultural, recreational, and ecological value through art exhibitions, storytelling sessions, and public campaigns.
4
Leverage wetlands for climate action and biodiversity
Showcase wetlands’ role in carbon storage and their contributions to achieving climate targets at city and regional levels.
Promote the restoration of urban wetlands as natural climate buffers that reduce the impacts of extreme weather events.
Highlight their role in preserving biodiversity by creating habitat corridors that link urban green spaces and facilitate species migration.
5
Promote sustainable livelihoods and economic opportunities
Encourage eco-tourism and recreational activities like boating, fishing, and wetland safaris to generate local employment.
Support community-based initiatives in wetland restoration, creating jobs and fostering skills in conservation and sustainable resource use.
Showcase the agricultural and economic benefits of wetlands, such as fisheries, fertile soils, and natural resources, as integral to urban food security and poverty reduction.
