5 June 2014: The Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) and the Environmental Ecosystem Research Foundation (ERF) have launched the ‘Handbook on Best Practices for the Design and Operation of Wetland Education Centres.’ The launch took place on World Environment Day 2014. The Handbook presents lessons learned on the design and operation of wetland education centres from around the world.

The Handbook addresses: planning or redeveloping a wetland education centre; financial sustainability of centres, including business and financial models; establishing Communication, Education, Participation and Awareness (CEPA) programmes at centres; and incorporating sustainable design principles into centres. The Handbook also includes background information on wetland education centres and sections on volunteers and quality assurance.

The case studies and information in the Handbook emerged from a November 2013 workshop that took place in Seosan City, Republic of Korea, which ERF organized.

“Wetlands such as lakes, rivers and coastal tidal flats provide a wide range of benefits and values for people and the environment,” said Christopher Briggs, Ramsar Convention Secretary General. He called on Ramsar Parties to establish education centers at their Ramsar Sites.

The Environmental Ecosystem Research Foundation is based in the Republic of Korea and focuses on conservation, education and research for sustainable land use, with an emphasis on Northeast Asia. [Ramsar Press Release] [Publication: Handbook on Best Practices for the Design and Operation of Wetland Education Centres]