02 February 2012

February 2, World Wetlands Day

The Wetlands Convention of International Importance, also known as the Ramsar Convention because it was signed in this Iranian city, was adopted on February 2, 1971. This day has been marked since 1997 by the Ramsar Secretariat as the World Wetlands Day so the government agencies, non-governmental environmental groups and citizens can help raise public awareness about the importance and value of Wetlands.

Although many Azorean wetlands constitute  ex-libris landscape of the Archipelago, being remarkable in the context of regional tourism landscape, its importance is also related to the prevention of problems such as floods and landslides, for which it is considered of high importance of the involvement of local people in conservation of these places. Of all Azorean wetlands, were Azorean officially designated 12 Ramsar sites, with a total area of ​​approximately 13 000 ha.

As the theme of commemoration for 2012 "Tourism in Wetlands", the Regional Government of the Azores, through the Regional Network of Ecotecas of the Azores, covered by Natural Parks of the Regional Secretariat of Environment and the Sea, marks this celebration through various events throughout the Archipelago:

TERCEIRA:
In partnership with the Science Center of Angra do Heroísmo (SCF), will take place in the municipality of Praia da Vitoria on days February 2 and 3 "The Journeys of Pauls," with environmental interpretation sessions with observation of migratory birds. Entries must be made with the SCF or Terceira Ecoteca.

GRACIOSA:
The Natural Park and Furna do Enxofre Visitors Center will hold various activities, including, information sessions on days February 2 and 3, about RAMSAR site on Graciosa island, the Furna do Enxofre. The target audience will be composed of students of the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th year of the eco-school E.B.S. Graciosa. These sessions are designed to sensitize students to the functions and values ​​of the wetland in question, such as habitat of native and endemic species. In addition, will also be highligted the importance of the lake within the Furna, as a natural reservoir of water, which in times past, served as a source of water supply to the population of the island. Given that the Furna do Enxofre is the largest tourist attraction point of the island, it will be referred the safety procedures during the visit and explained the phenomenon of release of CO2 which sometimes leads to closure of the Furna during the summer.

Finally, and also within the Parque Aberto (Open Park) activities at 14 hours of February 4, with the support of the Department of Sport of Graciosa, will perform the activity "Reliving the Past", which consists of a descent into the Furna with the resource of ropes, as was done in the past. Those interested in participating in the descent must register in the Graciosa Natural Park.

PICO:
Will be held at the Interpretation Center of the Protected Landscape of Vineyard Culture, at 10am on February 2, a session aimed at tour operators on "The importance of wetlands and its tourist potential," followed by a field trip to the Zona Húmida do Planalto Central do Pico (Achada).

FAIAL:
On February 1, will start at 9.30am, the Regional Campaign "An Azorean, an endemic plant," with the action of planting endemic trees in the swamps of Pedro Miguel, held by the Faial Natural Park with the support of students and teachers of Pedro Miguel School.

SÃO MIGUEL:
Also as part of the Parque Aberto (Open Park), the São Miguel Natural Park will promote on February 2 a lecture entitled "Wetlands - An ecosystem to preserve" the public school in the Primary School 2,3 of Maia, and on Saturday, February 4 at 9.30 am an Interpretive Walking Tour in the Volcanic Complex of the Sete Cidades, to the general public. The meeting point will be in Forest Recreational Reserve of Canário.

FLORES:
The Flores Natural Park will mark this date with the execution of two activities, which are integrated in the Program Parque Aberto (Open Park): a Workshop on Techniques of Bird Watching, to be held on February 2, at 07.30pm in the auditorium of the Environmental Interpretation Center of Boqueirão and a field trip to observe birds, which will take place on February 4, being the meeting point of the Environmental Interpretation Center of Boqueirão, by 10.00am. The place for bird watching is classified as a RAMSAR site - the Planalto Central das FLores (Morro Alto).

CORVO:
The Corvo Natural Park will accompany the students of the 1st cycle of the island to visit the wetland's Caldeirão, to know the importance of peatlands. The 2nd stage will be to invited to photograph the wetlands, which will make a presentation to the Cultural and Environmental Interpretation Center of Corvo.

SÃO JORGE:
On February 11 at 03.00pm, the São Jorge Natural Park will perform a free interpretive tour of the Interpretation Center of  Caldeira de Santo Cristo, located in the Ramsar site in this island.

SANTA MARIA:
The Santa Maria Natural Park, also in February 11 by 09.00am, organizes an observation session of migratory birds in the Ribeira de São Francisco and around the airport. Applicants must enroll in the Santa Maria Natural Park.

For more information:
www.ramsar.org (Ramsar Convention)
http://parquesnaturais.azores.gov.pt (Azores Natural Parks)