Wetlands are fascinating and beautiful places which deserve to be protected and conserved for their special qualities. With increasing urban densities, they provide places of solace that enhance mindfulness and reduce stress and anxiety. As human beings, we feel our best surrounded by nature – the presence of plants and animals can improve our mood and lift our spirits.

Western Australia is the driest State in the driest continent on Earth. However we still have some of the most important wetlands in the world. These are the survivors of what was once an extensive and beautiful natural ecosystem. Previous generations of Western Australians failed to appreciate the natural beauty and importance of our wetlands. We now have less than 20% of the original wetlands left on the Swan Coastal Plain and the situation is even worse in the agricultural region.

Those that remain are important for many reasons including:

• Places of highly diverse flora and fauna
• sites for recreation, education and research
• enhancement of the landscape.