RAMSAR Designation

The Convention on Wetlands was signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971.  It is an intergovernmental treaty promoting the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.  The Ramsar List, established in response to the Convention on Wetlands, provides an up-to-date list of sites that have been designated by the 159 nations that are signatories to the Convention.  There are currently 37 Ramsar sites in Canada.  The nearest site to Burns Bog is the Alaksen National Wildlife Area on Westham Island in Delta.

Why would we want to designate Burns Bog as a Ramsar site if it’s already mostly protected?  Here are some other benefits of being on the Ramsar List:

• By increasing the number of sites that Canada has designated to the Ramsar List, we strengthen our voice in the intergovernmental forum on the conservation and wise use of wetlands worldwide
• Ramsar designation would increase the publicity and prestige for Burns Bog, both locally and internationally, promoting the conservation of this important site
• Burns Bog managers would have better access to the latest information and advice on how to apply the Convention’s internationally-accepted standards, such as guidelines on management planning in wetlands
• Ramsar encourages international cooperation on wetland issues, so designating Burns Bog as a Ramsar site may present an opportunity for funding of critical restoration projects

The Burns Bog Ecological Conservancy Area Management Plan (2007) points out the importance of international recognition of Burns Bog, noting that Ramsar designation “would likely raise the profile of the Bog Lands in terms of global conservation and research efforts”.  One of the action plans for Burns Bog managers is to explore the options, benefits, and requirements of Ramsar designation for this unique raised bog.

• View RAMSAR Criteria for Identifying Wetlands of International Importance

Update

In March of 2010, Delta's Chief Administrative Officer appeared before the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors, at their March 26, 2010 Regular Meeting, to request that the Ramsar application be submitted after the additional properties have been included in the Conservation Covenant.

• Read Burns Bog Update { pdf 3MB }

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