Importance of Wetlands
Western Australia is the driest State in the driest continent on Earth. However we still have some of the most important wetlands in the world. These are the survivors of what was once an extensive and beautiful natural ecosystem. Previous generations of Western Australians failed to appreciate the beauty and importance of our wetlands and they set about draining and filling them in the name of progress. Now we have less than 20% of the original wetlands left on the Swan Coastal Plain and the situation is even worse in the agricultural region.
Those that remain are important for many reasons including:
- Providing a habitat for flora and fauna
- Providing sites for recreation, education and research
- Enhancing the landscape
Wetlands are fascinating and beautiful places which deserve to be protected and conserved for their special qualities.
The Cockburn Wetlands Education Centre strives to raise public awareness of the need to conserve our remaining wetlands. We are doing this via excursions, meetings, public education, lobbying and submissions to Government agencies. If you share our concern about the conservation of our wetlands and would like to help in this task, we would welcome your membership.