Assessing the Value of Ramsar

Designation: Survey Results from

North AmericaCOP10 Side Event1 November 2008

Agenda

• Overview and Results of the U.S. Survey: Kim Diana Connolly

• Overview and Results of the Canadian Survey: Clayton Rubec

• Benefits of International Designations in Mexico: Ernesto Enkerlin

• Next Generation-African Research: Abou Bamba• Conversation regarding Broader Themes and Next

Steps: Mila Llorens

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U.S. National Ramsar Committee• Mission: Support the goals and objectives of the

Ramsar Convention within the U.S. and internationally

• Members: NGOs and academics with an interest in Ramsar issues

• Observers: Representatives of U.S. agencies (FWS, State, EPA, Forest Service, NOAA)

• Informal cooperation comes from U.S. Ramsar site managers and other interested parties

• www.ramsarcommittee.us

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Survey of U.S. Ramsar SitesOverview of Survey (performed in 2006)

• Site Identification with Ramsar

• Benefits of Ramsar Designation

• Recommendations to Strengthen Ramsar in the United States

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http://www.ramsarcommittee.us/ELR

%20Ramsar%20article.pdf Assessing the Value of Ramsar Designation: Survey Results from North America

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Survey Instrument History

• First generation survey contained in the Environmental Law Review Article

• Second generation survey developed by Canada

• Third generation survey developed and used for survey of African nations, available on-line (in both French and English) at http://law.sc.edu/wetlands/ramsar/

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Site Identification with Ramsar

• Signs, Certificates, Plaques, Wall Panels

• Brochures

• Websites

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Site Identification with Ramsar

• Highway Signage

• Press Releases

• Ramsar Logo on Publications and Letterhead

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Benefits of Ramsar Designation

• Increased Pride in Site

• Increased Local Awareness of Importance of Site

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Benefits of Ramsar Designation• Increased Funding

Opportunities

– NAWCA Grants

– Land and Water Conservation Fund

– NFWF and Other Grants

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Benefits of Ramsar Designation

• Support for Protection of Site and Surrounding Areas

– Acquisition of Surrounding Lands

– Encourages Watershed Conservation Partnerships

– Invocation of Status in Response to Proposed Development

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Benefits of Ramsar Designation

• Increased Scientific Studies and Tourism Activity

– Izembek (eel grass studies)

– Caddo Lake (environmental flows

studies)

– Catahoula Lake (vegetation and lakebed elevation studies)

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Contact information for U.S. researchers:

Royal C. GardnerStetson University College of Law

gardner@law.stetson.edu

Kim Diana ConnollyUniversity of South Carolina School of Law

connolly@sc.edu

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Questions?

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