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Celebrating World Wetlands Day

24 February 2015

Park Interpretation Officer Lia Arcioni with Laurie Dann and Christopher Gurruwiwi, winners of the World Wetlands Day art competition at Bowali Visitor Centre on Monday 2 February 2015. Park Interpretation Officer Lia Arcioni with Laurie Dann and Christopher Gurruwiwi, winners of the World Wetlands Day art competition at Bowali Visitor Centre on Monday 2 February 2015.

By Parks Australia

World Wetlands Day was celebrated in style on Monday 2 February at Kakadu National Park’s Bowali Visitor Centre. The day is celebrated worldwide on 2 February to mark the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention) in Ramsar, Iran, on 2 February 1971.

Locals and visitors, including this year’s Junior Rangers class from Jabiru Area School, enjoyed learning about the importance of Kakadu’s wetlands of international significance – and what efforts are being made to learn about and preserve our wetlands. ERISS fascinated visitors with the busy world of wetland water bugs seen under their microscope. 

The National Environmental Research Program staff flaunted their impressive barramundi tracker and screened a range of films about wetland research in the Bowali theatre. 

Kakadu rangers helped kids onto the airboat they use to find and remove nasty wetland weeds. They even started it up – it was hard to hear their hoots of excitement over the roar of the V8 engine! There was origami making for the kids – of wetland creatures of course. 

Two local students, Laurie Dann and Christopher Gurruwiwi, won prizes in the wetlands-themed art competition for their beautiful lino prints. Three participants in the Wetland Quiz won accommodation at Cooinda and tickets on the Yellow Water Cruise. 

Winners of the wetlands quiz were: Karen Beare and two students at Jabiru Area School’s Year 5/6 Class, Ajay and Reece. Reece has recently moved to Jabiru, so it is great he now has the opportunity to go on this terrific cruise! 

Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate this special day in Kakadu!

Activities at Bowali Visitor Centre for World Wetlands Day included fun with the Rangers’ air boat. Activities at Bowali Visitor Centre for World Wetlands Day included fun with the Rangers’ air boat.