Ramsar site

A Ramsar site, also called a Wetland of International Importance, is a wetland site designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat. The Convention on Wetlands is an international environmental treaty signed on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, under the auspices of UNESCO. It came into force on 21 December 1975, when it was ratified by a sufficient number of nations. It provides for national action and international cooperation regarding the conservation of wetlands, and wise sustainable use of their resources. Ramsar treaty participants meet regularly to identify and agree to protect wetlands of international importance, especially those providing waterfowlhabitat.

As of January 2026, there are 2,520 Ramsar sites around the world, which protect 253,075,668 hectares (625,363,590 acres), and 172 national governments participate in the convention.