Ramsar Convention

The Convention on Wetlands.

For information on the convention and Ramsar Sites in the UK visit the Ramsar Bureau website

The Government Policy Statement on Ramsar is available from DEFRA

Further information

The Convention on Wetlands is named after the town in Iran where it was signed in 1971.

The convention is designed to promote the preservation of important wetland habitats and has broadened from a focus on wetland birds to a remit to conserve and promote the 'wise use' of wetlands in general.

Signatory countries are required to designate at least one Ramsar site nationally and to 'formulate and implement their planning so as to promote the conservation of wetlands'.

In the UK there are more than 140 Ramsar sites and whilst they are recognised in law (in the CroW Act) they do not have special protection per se. Again the reason for designation may be different from the SSSI.

Relevant section of How to win: Saving wildlife sites

Section 3: Nature Conservation Designations and Schemes

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