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Ramsar Poster for Humbug Marsh. Photo Credit: Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Alliance.
Ramsar Site Boundary Map. Photo Credit: Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Envrionment.
Observation Deck overlooking Detroit River at Humbug Marsh Unit in Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. Photo Credit: Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Alliance. Learn more about Ramsar at http://www.ramsar.org
What is the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands?
The Ramsar Convention (Convention) on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty that was adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. The Convention provides a framework for international action and cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands. There are presently 158 contracting parties to the Convention. The United States became a member in 1987. Contracting Parties seek to achieve the Convention's goals by recognizing that wetlands are extremely important for biodiversity and human health, and by promoting local, regional and national stewardship and cooperation.
What is the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance?
Each country that signs the Convention must designate at least one site for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar List). Sites are designated based on their international significance in terms of ecology, hydrology, and/or biological communities, as measured by criteria set forth by the Convention (see "Why Humbug Marsh" for more details). The Convention does not have regulatory authority. Rather, designating a Ramsar Site expresses the contracting party's commitment to ensure maintenance of the ecological character of the site. Once a country signs on to the Convention, its national government is responsible for designating sites to be added to the list. In the U.S., the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) makes designation recommendations. The Ramsar List currently includes 1,840 wetland sites worldwide, which cover more than 445 million acres. Twenty-four of those sites are in the United States. Humbug Marsh is the first Ramsar designation in Michigan.
Last updated:
February 9, 2011
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