World Wetlands Day – Raising Global Awareness

Every year on February 2nd, World Wetlands Day is celebrated to raise global awareness about the important role of wetlands for people and the planet. World Wetlands Day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands that was held on February 2nd 1971. It was established to raise awareness about the value of wetlands for humanity and the planet. World Wetlands Day was celebrated for the first time in 1997 and has grown remarkably since then. This year's theme "Wetlands for a Sustainable Urban Future" highlights the important role of wetlands for sustainable urbanization. Urban wetlands are essential and contribute to making cities livable.

Akwesasne takes part by hosting an informational event. This year, the event took place at the Kawehnoke Recreation. Normally the event is held in conjunction with the Akwesasne Winter Carnival, but because of the Winter Carnival taking place on the southern portion of Akwesasne, this is the first year the event has been held on its own. The event began at 3 pm, with informational booths being set up. There were numerous organizations who participated in the event from Akwesasne and the surrounding areas. MCA's Environment Division also showed their film they had been working on in the previous year.

Community members who attended were given a pamphlet to have signed by each booth for a chance to win a kayak. Some of the organizations who attended the event were the SLC Green Team, St. Lawrence Clean-up Committee, Upper St. Lawrence River Protection Networks, Cornwall Lunker Club, MCA Environment Program, St. Lawrence River Institute, South Nation Conservation Authority, Raisin River Conservation Authority, and Plenty Canada to name a few.