World Wetlands Day is celebrated on 2 February each year and aims to raise public awareness of the value and benefits of wetlands while also promoting efforts to conserve them. It marks the anniversary of the Ramsar Convention, which was signed in Ramsar, Iran on 2 February 1971. The Convention highlights wetlands of international importance and currently there are over 2400 listed Ramsar wetlands worldwide.
Wetlands are vital ecosystems that provide critical environmental services such as cleaning water, storing carbon, and providing unique habitat. They also hold cultural value for local Aboriginal people.
Duduroa Dhargal Aboriginal Corporation (DDAC) have been working to restore a local wetland, Ryans Lagoon at Bonegilla. Although not a Ramsar-listed wetland, Ryans Lagoon is included in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia due to its high biodiversity and ecological value. Despite past grazing and land clearing along with altered hydrology, the wetland remains a good example of riverine billabongs in the upper parts of the Murray River.
So how are the wetlands being looked after? Grazing has been removed from all 165 hectares and significant weed-removal efforts are underway which has included the Traditional Land Management practice of cultural cool burning during the winter. This is complemented by the planting of native trees, shrubs, and grasses to restore a healthy mix of understorey and canopy.
Another major milestone in caring for Country at Ryans Lagoon was the cultural watering event that took place during last spring to early summer. The partnership between DDAC, North East Water, and North East Catchment Management Authority resulted in around 185 megalitres of water being pumped from the Murray River into the wetlands. It was amazing to see that water flowing – a great example of actions guided by Traditional Owners that achieved both cultural and environmental outcomes.
The wetlands have become a hive of activity with representatives from Wodonga Urban Landcare Network and North East Water monitoring how the environment is responding to the cultural watering. Turtles Albury Wodonga are actively protecting turtle nests and trailing methods to discourage fox predation along with researchers from La Trobe University who are radio-tracking adult turtles, and BirdLife Australia have been assisting with bird surveys.
But Ryans Lagoon isn’t just a centre of environmental interest, it has also become a Cultural Learning Centre – a place where culture can be celebrated and passed on. DDAC have hosted several workshops including weaving and tool-making, and the recently completed dance circle was in use during the Our Cultures, Our Future Expo last November.
We look forward to another year of conservation, partnerships, and culture at Ryans Lagoon!
The Traditional Land Management of Ryans Lagoon Wetlands program is supported by the Victorian Government through the Nature Fund – Caring for Country stream.
