7377

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7377
• Author: Kusler, J. A. and S. Daly.
• Title: Wetlands and River Corridor Management.
• USFW Year: 1989.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

stimulate international cooperation in fields such
as technology transfer, information exchange, and
financial support, especially in developing
regions. Marchand further notes the need for
focussed regional wetland programs, rehabilitation
of key wetlands based upon sustainable development
principles, promotion of national wetland poli-
cies, and national guidelines for wetland
management and development.
AN INTERNATIONAL WETLAND SCIENCE NETWORK?
The foregoing discussion has suggested that an
extensive array of international wetland programs,
committees, and networks already exist (as in
Table 1), and that many wetland journals and
newsletters (Table 2) are in print (i.e. there is
a lot happening involving a lot of people
already). Questions which then arise include: Can
we do better? Is there a need for a more effective
umbrella organization or framework to better
integrate the existing networks and foster
improved communication of wetland science and
conservation information? What are the limitations
of present networks (financial, political, etc.)?
Would there be support for such a new initiative
or should we work within the maze of networks and
organizational structures now existing?
With these questions in mind, a small group of
wetland specialists discussed the concept of
international networking and communicating at the
International Symposium on Wetlands and River
Corridor Management. This meeting was convened by
the Association of State Wetland Managers, July 5-
9, 1989, at Charleston, South Carolina. This
discussion produced 10 recommendations:
1. Science networks should attempt to link key
wetland scientists and managers rather than
representatives of key organizations.
2. Networks should concentrate on the commonal-
ities and needs existing between organiza-
tions. Efforts such as the annual, inter-
linked meetings of the IWRB, IUCN, and
Ramsar Secretariats and their wetland
program leaders are seen as exemplary,
fostering more effective communication and
coordination between networks.
3. Gradual development is desirable towards a
communication network/system concentrating
on transboundary (continental, national)
issues.
4. More concentration of network actions is
needed on issues and problems that emphasize
realistic, completable, manageable projects
with project end-dates tied to the people
and organizations involved.
5. Networks should encourage participation by
people who know they can work together
without interagency rivalry and political
interference.
6. The use of existing organizations/networks
as building blocks and sticking with these
existing networks are wise -- there is no
need to establish a new super-secretariat.
7. Encouragement of informality in network
structure and meetings is a positive organi-
zational tool.
8. An international review is needed of poten-
tial gaps in wetland science, management,
and conservation initiatives, looking beyond
the individual mandates of existing
agencies, programs and networks.
9. A tiered information/communication network
should focus on regional information needs.
10. A series of regional wetland science net-
works should be developed in portions of
Africa, South America, and the Mexico/
Caribbean region. Models could include
elements of the Asian Wetland Bureau, the
International Mire Conservation Group, and
the National wetlands working Group
(Canada), and should build upon existing
centres of expertise in these regions.
A NATIONAL NETWORK EXAMPLE
National Wetlands Working Group (NWWG)
Canada committee on Ecological Land Classification
The objectives of the NWWG are:
- to disseminate knowledge on Canadian wet-
lands;
- to provide scientific advice and expertise;
- to promote sustainable utilization of Canadi-
an wetland resources; and
- to support systematic approaches for wetland
conservation.
by
1. developing national wetland standards and
classification systems;
2. publishing national research and references;
3. supporting and advising governments on wet-
land policy development;
4. coordinating a national expert wetland
science forum; and
5. sponsoring national wetland symposia.
The NWWG meets every year, has 12 core members,
and networks up to 3800 individuals and agencies.
It has successfully published: syntheses of
wetland inventory information and wetland regions
of Canada, a national wetland classification
system, and a national reference book Wetlands of
Canada (National Wetlands Working Group 1988). The
Group is also a recognized national science
advisory body for wetland policy development. The
NWWG was initiated in 1970 (Canada Committee on
Ecological Land Classification 1988).
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