8 February 2012: The Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention) has announced that the Government of Denmark has designated its 39th Wetland of International Importance. The site, comprising three wide valleys – Ørsted Dal, Pingel Dal and Enhjørningen Dal – is located in Greenland.

The site provides habitat for 18-20 species of shorebirds and waterbirds, vulnerable mammals, 150 species of vascular plants, an endemic species and an endemic variety. In most of the site, all activities related to mineral exploration are regulated, and designation as a national protected area, prohibiting mineral exploitation, is under consideration.

Denmark’s designation contributes to one of the goals contained in the Ramsar Convention’s Strategic Plan for 2009-2015, which is to reach a protected area of 250 million hectares by 2015. [Ramsar Press Release]