Lynda Varlack of the Conversation and Fisheries Department

Environmental Officer Lynda Varlack took the opportunity at the Rotary Club of Road Town’s Tuesday luncheon, to highlight to Rotarians the importance of wetlands and what they can do to help preserve it.

Varlack pointed out that even though the issues of global warming and climate change have existed for a long time, it is only now that people are realizing the role that wetlands play in Climate Control (Global Temperature Regulation).

“Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world,” Varlack told Rotarians, “An immense variety of species of microbes, plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish and mammals can be part of a wetland ecosystem.”

Varlack outlined some of the many critical functions of wetlands. Wetlands provide crucial habitat for a multitude of plant and animal species, they provide food, shelter and breeding grounds for many animal species. She further stated that it provides direct spawning and rearing habitats for fisheries. 

In addition, wetlands replenish groundwater supplies with cleaner water after it is filtered, and they stabilise and protect shorelines by reducing wave energy and other erosive forces, said Varlack.

She added that wetlands recharge aquifers and provide water for urban and agriculture use while they help to control flooding and flood damage. They also absorb and filter pollutants that would contaminate ground water, rivers, lakes and estuaries, the environmental officer pointed out, while they provide for fishing, hunting and outdoor recreation.

In celebration of World Wetlands Day, Varlack said the Conservation and Fisheries Department encouraged persons to take a family trip to a wetland near their home or community and explore the wetland area.

The department also encouraged persons to take a garbage bag along to do their own clean up.

Another option the Department offered to people was to visit the mangrove boardwalk at the H. Lavity Soutt Community College just off the Marine Science Centre at Paraquita Bay .

She said the trail leads into “a fascinating world of red mangrove trees is quite the experience”.

However, the environmental officer said she does not know how many persons make use of the opportunity.

According to information provided by Varlack, wetlands are areas water covers the soil, or is present either at the surface or near the surface of the soil all year round or for varying periods of time during the year.

The Ramsar Convention signed on February 2, 1971 in the Iranian city Ramsar, was established to ensure wetlands conservation and wise use.One of the key activities of the Convention is World Wetlands Day celebrated on February 2 annually. This year’s theme was: Health Wetlands, Healthy People.

Varlack said the theme emphasizes the strong relationship between maintaining functional wetland ecosystems and good human health. In concluding her presentation, Varlack commended the Rotary Club of Road Town for its contributions toward environmental co-management.

The club has assisted with the replanting of mangrove along side the National Parks Trust, contributed to the building of the boardwalk and petitioned for funding from the Overseas Territories Environment Programme to finish the project among other things.

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