An Introduction to the Ramsar Convention

When
May 9, 2018 12:00 pm — 1:30 pm
Where
Washington, DC (and via webinar)

An ELI Public Seminar held in conjunction with the 2018 National Wetlands Awards

In conjunction with the 29th Annual National Wetlands Awards, ELI hosted a panel discussion on the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. Signed in 1971, in Ramsar, Iran, the Convention was developed to call international attention to the rate at which wetland habitats were disappearing, in part due to a lack of understanding of their important functions, values, goods, and services. The Convention provides an international framework for action and cooperation to conserve and wisely use wetlands and their resources. Governments that join the Convention designate suitable wetlands for the list of Wetlands of International Importance and ensure their effective management. The United States became a party to the convention in 1986 and has since designated 38 sites covering nearly 4.5 million acres nationwide. Participants learned about efforts at the local, national, and international level to implement the Convention and recognize important wetlands.

Panelists:
Kathryn Campbell, Staff Attorney, Environmental Law Institute (Moderator)
Cade London, National Focal Point for the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Maryann M. McGraw, New Mexico Wetlands Program Coordinator, New Mexico Environment Department Surface Water Quality Bureau – Watershed Protection
Barbara De Rosa-Joynt, National Focal Point for the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, U.S. State Department

Materials:
If you are an ELI member and are logged onto the Members site, you will see links below to available materials/recordings from this session. If you are not an ELI member but would like to have access to archived sessions like this one, go HERE to see the many benefits of membership and how to join.