After several years of work towards the title, **Trelew** recently managed to officially become the “City of Wetlands“. This was determined by the **Ramsar Convention**, making it one of the first cities in Latin America to receive this recognition.
Valdivia in **Chile** also holds this title. This certification acknowledges the commitment of districts to the management and conservation of their wetlands.
In the case of the city of **Chubut**, the work in the **Laguna Cacique Chiquichano Natural Reserve** stood out.
City of Wetlands: recognition for Trelew
The Independent Advisory Committee on Wetland City Accreditation, during the 64th meeting of the Standing Committee, decided to include Trelew in this category.
The Wetland City Accreditation program, **introduced in 2015**, encourages cities to recognize the importance of their wetlands, whether they are natural or man-made, and commit to their protection.
This certification acknowledges the commitment of cities to the management and conservation of their wetlands under the **Ramsar Convention**, an intergovernmental treaty adopted in **1971** in the Iranian city of the same name.
Trelew submitted its lagoon system as a RAMSAR site, which includes the **Laguna Cacique Chiquichano Natural Reserve** and the lagoons to the east of the city.
For the application process, advice was provided by teachers and researchers from the **National University of Patagonia San Juan Bosco**, in addition to efforts made to the **National Environment Subsecretariat**, which submitted the endorsement for Trelew’s application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
What are wetlands
Wetlands are large areas of land covered by water, either permanently or seasonally. They are ecosystems themselves, playing a **fundamental role for nature** and for people.
Among their characteristics:
– They are habitats for many species of plants and animals.
– They mitigate floods and droughts.
– They are water sources for human consumption and wildlife.
– They store carbon, helping to combat climate change.
– They are of great cultural, archaeological, and historical value.
– They provide food, materials, and medicines.
– They are tourist and recreational destinations.
Wetlands and the issue in more than 170 countries
The **deterioration of wetlands** worldwide is a growing issue in recent years, with serious records of the situation. According to United Nations statistics, **177** member countries are examples of this.
This poses a red alert when it comes to mitigation and combating efforts **against climate change**, as these ecosystems are vital as CO2 sinks. Additionally, it is estimated that **40%** of the world’s species live in these spaces.
Agriculture, urbanization, deforestation, and industrial activities are the main causes of deterioration.
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