Wetlands are generally valuable, but there are differences
between them. Some have attributes that make them especially
important, such as a stopover site for migratory waterbirds,
very high carbon stock or the ability to store and regulate the
release of freshwater. Wetlands International works to save the
most important wetland areas. Unlike some conservation
organisations, we do not buy or manage wetland areas ourselves.
We believe that wetlands conservation should originate through
local authorities and communities, who acknowledge the
importance of conserving wetlands. (Bio-rights is one approach
we use to finance wetland conservation). Without this local
support, conservation efforts often do not succeed. Showcasing
wetland values to promote conservation A first step in
conserving important wetland areas is identifying them. The
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands has formulated criteria for
identifying wetlands of international importance. These criteria
have a strong focus on conserving the rich functions o