World Wetlands Day is an annual celebration of the importance of wetlands and how vital it is to conserve them. Every year, 2 February marks the date of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands in 1971.
Each year, Ramsar declares a theme for World Wetlands Day celebrations, and 2009 will be 'Upstream, downstream: wetlands connect us all', providing a focus for all events and activities both at WWT centres and across the world.
Connect to: a great day out - enjoy wetlands and their wildlife
Connect to: fun family activities - play our wetland game to win exciting prizes
Connect to: what you can do to help us save wetlands
Celebrate World Wetlands Day by visiting your local WWT wetland centre on 2 February, every weekend in February and throughout half term to join in our annual celebration of wetlands. Take part in a variety of wetland themed activities, games, competitions and more for all the family.
Play the 'upstream, downstream' card game at WWT centres for a chance to win exciting prizes
Take on the 'upstream, downstream' challenge by playing our wetland card game at your local WWT centre and see how the decisions you make could affect your local river. Play the game for a chance to win a bottle of Yali wine from Viña Ventisquero in Chile every day, plus cuddly cygnets for children. For the overall winner, to be drawn at the end of the month, a two-night, bed and breakfast family stay at any Farm Stay property in 2009, is up for grabs thanks to NFU Mutual.
Check with your local WWT centre website for full details at each centre, as game running times may vary.
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WWT has put on a full programme of fun, interactive games and activities to illustrate the important role we can all play in safeguarding the quality of our rivers.
Find out how what we do upstream affects what happens downstream. We all live close to rivers; some are full of life and others are dirty and damaged. Our daily activities can directly affect your local rivers and streams: phosphates from washing powders, agricultural problems, vehicle oil and sewage affect the quality of our water and can create huge problems for the wildlife in our rivers and wetlands.
Click on the centre name below to find a full list of daily activities and opening times at each centre.
WWT Arundel T 01903 881530 West Sussex
WWT Caerlaverock T 01387 770200 Dumfriesshire, Scotland
WWT Castle Espie T 028 8187 4146 County Down, Northern Ireland
WWT London T 020 8409 4400 Barnes
WWT Martin Mere T 01704 895181 Lancashire
WWT Slimbridge T 01453 891900 Gloucestershire
WWT National Wetland Centre Wales T 01554 741087 Llanelli, Wales
WWT Washington T 0191 416 5454 Tyne & Wear
WWT Welney T 01353 860711 Norfolk