World Wetlands Day 2023

Recognise World Wetlands Day at Sydney Olympic Park

Sydney Olympic Park is shaping up as the place to recognise World Wetlands Day with a variety of free offers for residents and visitors.

World Wetlands Day is recognised internationally each year on February 2 to raise public awareness of the values and benefits of wetlands while promoting the conservation, with activities in Sydney Olympic Park to include:

•  Wetland Walk-n-Talk, Thursday 2 February from 12.15pm and Saturday 4 February from 9am, both at Jacaranda Square, free for Sydney Olympic Park Lifestyle Members
•  Mini/Junior Park Ranger Pop Up creative wetland themed crafting, Saturday 4 February from 11am at Lake Belvedere
•  Birdlife Australia Walk n’ Talk, Saturday 4 February from 10.30am at Armory Visitor Centre, Newington Armory
•  Wetland Clean Up - Saturday 4 February from 9am at Teal Pond
•  Wetland Clean Up – Sunday 5 February from 8.30am at Haslam’s Bend
•  Self Guided Tour - EcoRamble Northern Water Feature, at Haslam’s Pier throughout February; and
•  Sydney Wetland Institute Webinar, online on Wednesday 1 February at 1.30pm.

Sydney Olympic Park Authority CEO Liz Develin said the Park was the ideal place to celebrate with a range of wetlands including mangroves located within it.

Sydney Olympic Park is home not only the Sydney Wetlands Institute, but also approximately 200 hectares of wetlands, so this is a great opportunity to learn about the importance of wetlands and how we can contribute to maintaining their health,” Dr Develin said.

“The 2023 theme for World Wetland Day is ‘It’s time for wetland restoration’ so it is important that we get together to help clean Teal Pond and Haslam’s Bend over the first weekend of February and do our bit for the environment. I encourage both locals and visitors to visit Sydney Olympic Park’s wetlands at the beginning of February and join in on the celebrations.”

The Sydney Wetland Institute is a knowledge hub for best practice in urban wetlands, providing a focal point for managers, researchers, students, public and the sector as a trusted centre for knowledge and networks relating to urban wetlands in Australia and the rest of Asia-Pacific. It aims to formalise linkages across capacity building activities offered at Sydney Olympic Park and elsewhere to create a recognisable and reliable body for urban wetland education, industry research, community engagement and partnerships.

Sydney Olympic Park’s World Wetlands Day celebrations are free, but registrations are essential.

Learn more about the events and register your interest online.