Providenciales, 03 Feb 2015- DEMA Recognizes World Wetlands Day 2015 with Wheeland Pond Clean-up
The Turks and Caicos Islands Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA) and National Trust (TCNT) hosted a clean-up in support of World Wetlands Day on Saturday, 31 January 2015.
It marked the Islands’ support for the global event which took place on February 2nd and marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar.
Amy Avenant, DEMA Environmental Outreach Coordinator stated; “We were able to visit a number of schools in the area to promote the importance of wetlands and the need to appreciate and conserve the Wheeland Pond Wetland in Blue Hills.
“The clean-up was well supported by teachers, students and family members from Oseta Jolly Primary School, Clement Howell High School, TCI Middle School and the FilCom Inc. Individual volunteers from all over Provo also got up early to be there!”
Wetlands are often an undervalued natural resource and are important as they:
ensure fresh water and replenish ground water;
purify and filter harmful toxins;
are a breeding ground for many commercially important fish species;
provide vital habitats for migratory birds;
ease flooding and safeguard against drought;
reduce the impacts of erosion; and
provide sustainable livelihoods.
For more information to get involved in future environmental initiatives, please contact Amy Avenant at 338-4176 or avenant.amy@gmail.com.
