Last Updated on February 2, 2026
On World Wetlands Day, the United Nations is spotlighting the vital role of Indigenous traditional knowledge in safeguarding the world’s remaining wetlands.
Each year on Feb. 2, nations observe World Wetlands Day to raise awareness about these rich landscapes, where freshwater, saltwater or brackish water covers soil either permanently or seasonally. The observance marks the anniversary of the 1971 Convention on Wetlands, an international treaty aimed at conserving and wisely using these ecosystems that sustain biodiversity, regulate climate and support human life.
For 2026, the official theme — “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage” — underscores how Indigenous peoples and local communities have stewarded wetlands for centuries using deep-rooted systems of observation, practice and respect for nature. The campaign emphasizes that such knowledge complements modern science in conserving these ecosystems amid a vast array intensifying threats.
Wetlands regulate water flows, store carbon, maintain biodiversity and protect communities from floods and droughts, notes Celeste Saulo, general secretary of the World Meteorological Organization.
“For generations, indigenous peoples and local communities have protected wetlands through knowledge systems based on observation, management and deep respect for nature,” she said.
Numerous studies have shown that Indigenous-governed wetlands often show stronger ecological integrity. Traditional practices such as crop rotation, community-based species protection and holistic water management help maintain natural balance and resilience, which is becoming increasingly critical as global wetland loss accelerates.
Despite their importance, nearly 70 percent of the world’s wetlands have been lost or degraded since 1900, with degradation occurring at rates three times higher than forest loss, according to data from the Ramsar Convention. Wetlands are home to roughly 40 percent of the planet’s plant and animal species, yet many of those species face escalating threats.
Environmental advocates say the 2026 theme also recognizes wetlands’ cultural significance and the intellectual heritage embedded in Indigenous stewardship. Joint management approaches — such as partnerships between governments and traditional custodians in Australia’s Ramsar wetlands — are increasingly cited as models of effective conservation that respect both ecological and cultural values.
The UN is calling on governments, policymakers, communities and the public to elevate traditional knowledge in global environmental frameworks and support Indigenous-led conservation as part of the broader effort to protect wetlands for future generations.
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