This list of Ramsar sites in the United States are those wetlands that are considered to be of international importance, protected under the Ramsar Convention. The United States as of 2020, has 41 sites designated as "Wetlands of International Importance" with a surface area of 1,884,551 hectares (7,276.29 sq mi; 18,845.51 km2). [1] [2] For a full list of all Ramsar sites worldwide, see List of Ramsar wetlands of international importance.
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of Ramsar sites (wetlands). It is also known as the Convention on Wetlands. It is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the convention was signed in 1971.
A Ramsar site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, also known as "The Convention on Wetlands", an international environmental treaty signed on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, under the auspices of UNESCO. It came into force on 21 December 1975, when it was ratified by a sufficient number of nations. It provides for national action and international cooperation regarding the conservation of wetlands, and wise sustainable use of their resources. Ramsar identifies wetlands of international importance, especially those providing waterfowl habitat.
An Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) is an area identified using an internationally agreed set of criteria as being globally important for the conservation of bird populations.
The Society of Wetland Scientists is an international, professional non-profit organization whose mission is to promote best practices in wetland research, education, conservation, preservation, restoration, and management. The SWS vision is to ensure that wetlands are understood, their importance recognized, and sound wetland science is used as a guide for wetland professionals and the general public to collaborate on research, conservation, preservation, restoration, and management of wetlands in our changing environment. Based in Washington DC, United States, SWS has 3000+ members worldwide, and the membership is open to anyone with an interest in wetlands.
Media related to Ramsar sites in the United States at Wikimedia Commons
