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Protecting wetlands for our common future: A lifeline for birds and people 

As we mark World Wetlands Day 2025 under the theme "Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future," we shine a spotlight on these vital landscapes and their role in securing a future where both people and nature thrive.


On the edges of rivers, along vast coastlines, and in the heart of dense forests, wetlands breathe life into our planet. They are the arteries of our ecosystems, sustaining biodiversity, regulating climate and providing livelihoods for millions of people. Yet, despite their undeniable importance, wetlands are vanishing three times faster than forests, putting countless species at risk. 

”Wetlands have always been more than just ecosystems, they are places of hope and resilience, and by working together we can ensure they will thrive for generations to come”

Martin Harper, CEO, BirdLife International

Wetlands are essential for birds, serving as breeding grounds, migratory stopovers, and feeding areas. From the delicate waders of European estuaries to the flamboyant flamingos of African salt pans, birds rely on wetlands for survival. When these habitats are lost or degraded, bird populations plummet, disrupting ecological balance and warning us of greater environmental threats.  

For centuries, wetlands have sustained human civilisations, providing fresh water, food, and climate resilience. They act as natural sponges, absorbing floodwaters and mitigating droughts, protecting coastal communities from storms, and filtering pollutants from water sources. By investing in wetland conservation, we invest in food security, disaster risk reduction, and climate action. 

From continent to continent, wetlands play diverse yet interconnected roles in sustaining biodiversity and human life. Below, we explore how our different regions are working to protect these vital ecosystems.

Header Image: ©Martin Mecnarowski/ Shutterstock

Flamingos ©rsimona/Shutterstock

Across Africa, wetlands like the Okavango Delta and the Congo Basin provide sanctuary to millions of birds and wildlife. However, threats such as climate change, agriculture, and infrastructure development are endangering these fragile ecosystems.  

Located approximately 24 kilometres south of Nkhotakota town in Central Malawi, Chia Lagoon is the largest lagoon in the country. It covers an impressive 17km2 and is home to a wide variety of bird species such as the  Black Heron (Egretta ardesiaca) and the Ring-necked Dove (Streptopelia capicola). More than 7857 households, including farmers, fishermen and bird hunters are sustained by this diverse wetland. 

Since 2023, our BirdLife Partner in Malawi (Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi), in collaboration with Malawi University of Science and Technology, and the MicroLoan Foundation, have been working to restore the vital Chia Lagoon ecosystem, reverse declines in vulnerable bird species, and improve local livelihoods. Funded by the Darwin Initiative this project has achieved remarkable results. 6000+ tree seedlings have been planted and 180 hunters have been trained to identify birds for avitourism. Community-based sustainable hunting groups have been set up to conserve waterbirds through the establishment of bird sanctuaries and habitat restoration activities. 

In March 2024 the project conducted business management training, after which  two micro-loan clusters were established. So far 6.5 million Malawi Kwacha (US $3,900) has been disbursed to over 40 women. Prisca Banda, a 35-year-old female entrepreneur, shares her story: 

“I received a loan of MWK150,000 (US $85) to expand my Zitenje (cloth) and fish business. With the profits, I bought a bicycle, repaid the loan with interest, and I’ve been able to support my family of six. This loan has made a huge difference in my life. I’m more financially independent, and my family’s standard of living has improved, we are no longer engaging in unstainable practices in the lagoon. ” Prisca Banda

Chia Lagoon ©Gift Maluwa

This project represents a unique opportunity to bring together conservation and community livelihoods,” she said. “We are not just protecting the environment but also enhancing the lives of people who rely on Chia Lagoon’s resources for their survival.” 

Mrs. Blessings Chingagwe, WESM’s Programmes Manager
© Kópia súboru, SOS/BirdLife Slovensko

Europe’s wetlands, from the Danube Delta to the Wadden Sea, have suffered immense loss over centuries due to industrialization. However, ambitious restoration projects are bringing hope.  

A notable example is the restoration of the beautiful Hal’s Marsh, a wetland located in the eastern Slovakian lowlands. Known for its rich biodiversity, the marsh is home to iconic bird species like the Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) and the rare Eurasian Bittern (Botaurus stellaris). Unfortunately, intensive agriculture and the impacts of climate change caused the marsh to be drained and disconnected from the Laborec River, resulting in increased droughts and a drastic decline in biodiversity.

© Kópia súboru, SOS/BirdLife Slovensko
© Kópia súboru, SOS/BirdLife Slovensko
The restoration of Hal’s Marsh is a testament to the power of collective action and marks a significant victory for wildlife and conservation. 

Since 2016, our Partner, the Slovak Ornithological Society/BirdLife Slovakia, in collaboration with local water managers, has been working to revive the wetland by reintroducing floodwaters from the Laborec River. However, economic pressures to convert the marsh into a fishpond or plantation of fast-growing trees, hindered progress.  

 
A major breakthrough came in 2023 when SOS/BirdLife Slovakia successfully bought the wetland to secure its protection and long-term conservation. This milestone was achieved through the “Even a Wetland Has a Heart” campaign, which raised a total of 130,000 euros in just four months to bring the area under our Partner’s wings and to ensure its future maintenance.  

By the 2024 breeding season, the restoration efforts had already shown promising results. Birds like the Great White Egret, the Grey Heron, the Night Heron, and, notably, the Great Bittern, returned to the marsh. The restoration of Hal’s Marsh is a testament to the power of collective action and marks a significant victory for wildlife and conservation.

© Kópia súboru, SOS/BirdLife Slovensko

Wetlands in the Middle East are essential for wildlife and migratory birds, acting as crucial stopover points, breeding grounds, and feeding areas for countless species. In Iraq, more than 44 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) are wetlands, with the Marshlands of Iraq standing out as a globally significant example.

These marshes, once the largest wetland ecosystem in the Middle East, are steeped in history, known as the “Cradle of Civilization,” where some of the earliest societies emerged. For millennia, they have provided habitat for diverse wildlife, including migratory waterbirds, and served as a source of sustenance and cultural identity for indigenous communities. Despite their immense importance, the Marshlands of Iraq have been reduced to less than half their original size due to climate change, dam construction on the Tigris and Euphrates tributaries, and improper water management practices, leading to devastating consequences. 

The shrinking of the Marshlands has triggered a cascade of environmental and social impacts, including a 5°C rise in regional temperatures, intensified environmental stresses, and the displacement of many indigenous people. Forced to leave their ancestral lands, these communities now face challenges in urban areas, with some resorting to trading water and the dwindling populations of migratory birds for survival.

Drought and Climate Change ©Jassim Al-Asadi, Nature Iraq

The ecological degradation has also placed immense pressure on wildlife, with 20 bird species in Iraq now threatened with extinction, many of which depend on wetlands. These include the Basra Reed Warbler, White-headed Duck, Red-breasted Goose, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Common Pochard, Grey Plover, and Broad-billed Sandpiper.

Tragically, the Slender-billed Curlew, a migratory bird that once wintered in Iraq’s wetlands, was declared extinct in November by BirdLife International. This extinction serves as a stark lesson about the consequences of neglecting conservation efforts. It highlights the urgent need to act before more species are lost and underscores the value of wetlands as critical habitats that support global biodiversity. 

The Marshlands ©Jassim Al-Asadi, Nature Iraq
Despite their immense importance, the Marshlands of Iraq have been reduced to less than half their original size.
Reeds of the Marshlands ©Jassim Al-Asadi, Nature Iraq

The urgency to protect wetlands has never been greater. The upcoming Ramsar Wetlands COP15, set to take place in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, from July 23rd to 31st, 2025, will be a defining moment for global wetland conservation. The BirdLife International Partnership will be there, advocating for stronger protections, increased funding for conservation initiatives, and international cooperation to ensure that wetlands continue to support both biodiversity and human well-being. 

As we celebrate World Wetlands Day 2025, let us commit to safeguarding these natural treasures—not just for the birds that grace their waters, but for the future of our planet and generations to come. 

White Pelicans (Pelecanus onocrotalus) in Danube Delta, Romania ©Porojnicu/Shutterstock