The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands: Assessment of International Designations within the United States

Abstract

The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, also referred to as the Ramsar Convention, is a treaty devoted to wetland conservation. A Contracting Party to the Ramsar Convention must designate at least one site within its territory as a Wetland of International Importance (known as Ramsar sites). To assess the benefits associated with this international designation, the authors conducted a survey of the then-22 Ramsar sites in the United States. After a brief introduction to the Ramsar Convention, the article analyzes the results of the survey. The article concludes that Ramsar designation provides varied and important benefits, including increased funding opportunities, increased support for the protection of the sites and surrounding areas, and increased scientific and tourism interest.

Keywords: wetlands, Ramsar Convention, Wetlands of International Importance, Ramsar sites, U.S. National Ramsar Committee