assessing the value of ramsar designation: survey results from north america cop10 side event 1...
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Assessing the Value of Ramsar
Designation: Survey Results from
North AmericaCOP10 Side Event1 November 2008
Agenda
• Overview and Results of the U.S. Survey: Kim Diana Connolly
• Overview and Results of the Canadian Survey: Clayton Rubec
• Benefits of International Designations in Mexico: Ernesto Enkerlin
• Next Generation-African Research: Abou Bamba• Conversation regarding Broader Themes and Next
Steps: Mila Llorens
Assessing the Value of Ramsar Designation: Survey Results from North America
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U.S. National Ramsar Committee• Mission: Support the goals and objectives of the
Ramsar Convention within the U.S. and internationally
• Members: NGOs and academics with an interest in Ramsar issues
• Observers: Representatives of U.S. agencies (FWS, State, EPA, Forest Service, NOAA)
• Informal cooperation comes from U.S. Ramsar site managers and other interested parties
• www.ramsarcommittee.us
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Survey of U.S. Ramsar SitesOverview of Survey (performed in 2006)
• Site Identification with Ramsar
• Benefits of Ramsar Designation
• Recommendations to Strengthen Ramsar in the United States
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http://www.ramsarcommittee.us/ELR
%20Ramsar%20article.pdf Assessing the Value of Ramsar Designation: Survey Results from North America
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Assessing the Value of Ramsar Designation: Survey Results from North America
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Survey Instrument History
• First generation survey contained in the Environmental Law Review Article
• Second generation survey developed by Canada
• Third generation survey developed and used for survey of African nations, available on-line (in both French and English) at http://law.sc.edu/wetlands/ramsar/
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Site Identification with Ramsar
• Signs, Certificates, Plaques, Wall Panels
• Brochures
• Websites
Assessing the Value of Ramsar Designation: Survey Results from North America
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Site Identification with Ramsar
• Highway Signage
• Press Releases
• Ramsar Logo on Publications and Letterhead
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Benefits of Ramsar Designation
• Increased Pride in Site
• Increased Local Awareness of Importance of Site
Assessing the Value of Ramsar Designation: Survey Results from North America
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Benefits of Ramsar Designation• Increased Funding
Opportunities
– NAWCA Grants
– Land and Water Conservation Fund
– NFWF and Other Grants
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Benefits of Ramsar Designation
• Support for Protection of Site and Surrounding Areas
– Acquisition of Surrounding Lands
– Encourages Watershed Conservation Partnerships
– Invocation of Status in Response to Proposed Development
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Benefits of Ramsar Designation
• Increased Scientific Studies and Tourism Activity
– Izembek (eel grass studies)
– Caddo Lake (environmental flows
studies)
– Catahoula Lake (vegetation and lakebed elevation studies)
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Contact information for U.S. researchers:
Royal C. GardnerStetson University College of Law
Kim Diana ConnollyUniversity of South Carolina School of Law
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Questions?
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