World Wetlands Day 2026 to Highlight Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Heritage

World Wetlands Day 2026, observed on February 2, will focus on the theme "Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage," emphasizing the deep-rooted connections between wetlands and cultural practices worldwide.

Wetlands are vital ecosystems that support biodiversity, climate resilience, and human livelihoods. They serve as sources of food, water, and materials, and are integral to cultural practices and knowledge systems.

In Australia, First Nations Peoples have cared for wetlands for millennia, utilizing them for sustenance and as sites for cultural practices, knowledge sharing, and innovation.

Globally, wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests, with nearly 90% degraded since the 1700s. This loss threatens biodiversity and the cultural heritage associated with these ecosystems.

World Wetlands Day 2026 aims to raise awareness and promote actions to conserve and restore wetlands, recognizing their ecological importance and cultural significance.