On this United Nations World Wetlands Day (2 February 2025), we celebrate the importance of Victoria’s wetlands in protecting water quality, providing habitat for a range of native plants and animals, great places for camping and bird watching, and their importance to Aboriginal cultural heritage.
This year’s theme is 'Protecting Wetlands for our Common Future', focusing on the urgency for action to protect these natural habitats for the welfare of all people and so future generations can continue to benefit from all that wetlands provide.
In Victoria there are 12 wetlands of international significance, known as Ramsar wetlands. These 12 sites protect a diversity of wetland habitats which includes five coastal and seven inland systems, including three on the Murray River floodplain.
Works are underway to help these vital areas including:
- sand dune restoration at Glenelg Estuary and Discovery Bay Ramsar site to improve shore bird and beach nesting bird habitat
- installation of artificial roosting platforms at Kerang Wetlands Ramsar Site to provide nesting habitat for waterbirds
- catchment restoration activities including weed control, fencing and revegetation to improve water quality and seagrass condition at Corner Inlet Ramsar Site
- fencing to exclude stock access to protect mangroves and saltmarsh communities in Western Port Ramsar Site.
To learn more about Victoria’s wetlands, visit: Significant wetlands.
Page last updated: 03/02/25