Yaankga! Thank you!
For all your gracious support.

We made it!

In its landmark 20th year of exchanging knowledge and ideas on wetlands, the WA Wetlands Conference 2024 has been a platform empowering everyone to become stewards of one of the most valuable ecosystems on earth. We want to take this opportunity to appreciate the contributions of all who made this year's conference possible.

We want to thank each and every one of you who made this Conference a monumental success

To our sponsors
Community Bank Fremantle – Bendigo Bank, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions, Harry Butler Institute – Murdoch University, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, City of Cockburn, Peel-Harvey Catchment Council, Water Technology, and supporters NRMjobs.com.au, WA Poets Inc and Hayden Watkins AV – thank you for your support in making this conference a reality and helping us elevate its standard, delivery and outreach. You inspire us to keep aspiring to go bigger and better, year after year.
To Robyn Collard, First Nations facilitators and Traditional Owners
From the bottom of our hearts, we express our sincerest gratitude. We feel privileged to be a part of the sacred traditions you share and to learn about the cultural knowledge that has been instrumental in preserving the wetlands for countless generations. Your contribution to this conference and to our wetlands is invaluable and deeply appreciated.
To our dignitaries, Hon. Peter Tinley AM, MLA, Hon. Dr. Brad Pettitt MLC and Mayor Logan Howlett
We thank you for not just your significant and impactful messages on the day, but for walking the talk. Your leadership and action is the voice of our wetlands and their future.
To each of our presenters
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise and providing invaluable insights into wetland management, restoration, innovation, issues and successes. This event is nothing without the value you bring to the table.
To our esteemed artists
We extend our profound gratitude. Your artwork and discussions significantly enriched the Conference, blending visual art with the critical dialogue on wetland conservation. Deepening our understanding and connection to wetlands, adding immeasurable value and insight, highlighting the essential role of art in environmental advocacy. You made it a beautiful, invaluable experience.
To all our delegates
We are grateful for your attendance and participation in this crucial event and for your commitment to preserving wetlands. Thank you for making it to this important program and for all the work you do for our wetlands and the environment.
To our caterers, Little Hawk Freo
Thank you for the timely and delicious food and for exceeding everyone's expectations once again.
To our volunteers
Your tireless work and devotion in ensuring the smooth running of this conference have been instrumental in its success.
To the Centre's chair, board and staff
We recognize your untiring efforts in organizing and executing this conference. Let's take a bow.
Last but not the least...
Let's not forget each and every one around the world who rallies behind our wetlands. The message is bigger and more important and this event is merely the bullhorn that seeks to amplify it. This year's conference theme of "Wetlands and Human Wellbeing" prompts us to reflect on how invaluable wetlands are to our own health and survival. Let's work together to raise awareness, drive action, and protect the wetlands for future generations. A big huzzah for World Wetlands Day!

Our vision – Why this Conference matters

In a time where climate change is looming large and fast, amidst the often-convoluted discourse of environmental priorities, the importance of our wetlands for ecological survival emerges with absolute clarity. And we find ourselves at a critical juncture: Where we must rapidly advance the conservation of these crucial ecosystems against the escalating impacts of climate change. It is imperative for us to recognise the vital importance of Western Australia's wetlands, to understand their precarious state, and to act decisively to protect the remaining 10% of what was once a thriving network.

Despite this, the plight of our wetlands often goes unnoticed by the broader public. This oversight highlights an immediate need for heightened awareness and action at both state and national levels. It's essential that we collectively acknowledge the necessity of wetlands in our ecological fabric, advocating for robust measures to ensure their restoration and enduring protection. Embedding this understanding into our national development frameworks is not just a matter of policy, but a communal responsibility that must become a shared and common knowledge.

Our wetlands, a tapestry of rich biodiversity and cultural history, are not simply landscapes; they are the pulsating heart of our environment. They stand as the cradle of civilisations, preserving millennia of ecological history and embodying immeasurable natural wealth. Recognising their intrinsic value, we also honour the profound wisdom of traditional Aboriginal knowledge, a legacy of thousands of years of symbiotic existence with these natural marvels. This ancient wisdom is available to us to inform our path forward in safeguarding what remains of these precious ecosystems.

Marking its 20th anniversary, the Annual WA Wetlands Conference, convened at The Wetlands Centre in Cockburn, has evolved into a pivotal event in wetland conservation and education. This milestone year in our collective endeavour to comprehend and protect these vital ecosystems promises to be particularly momentous. Over two decades, the conference has grown into a melting pot of innovative ideas and initiatives, enriching nearly 4,000 community members with essential knowledge and skills for wetland stewardship.

Aligned with the Ramsar Convention's 2024 theme 'Wetlands and Human Wellbeing', this year's conference delves into the profound interplay between these ecosystems and our collective health and heritage. Spanning two days, the conference weaves a rich tapestry of expertise and experience, showcasing keynote addresses by distinguished aquatic scientists and Indigenous academics, complemented by a diverse range of expert presentations, case studies, and workshops.

In a groundbreaking initiative, the first day will feature a special afternoon session dedicated to the symbiotic relationship between art and nature. This segment will explore how wetlands have fuelled artistic creativity and how artists utilise their craft to promote awareness of wetlands, environmental issues, and climate change. This initiative is aimed at fostering a deeper bond with nature and demonstrating the transformative influence of art in environmental conservation.

We cordially invite you to join us at this landmark event. This is more than an opportunity to attend a conference; it is a chance to be part of a movement shaping the future of our wetlands. Engage with us in this platform of learning, sharing, and action. Celebrate World Wetlands Day, and be a voice for the countless lives depending on the survival of our wetlands. This conference is not just a celebration of wetlands; it is a clarion call to action, a pledge for change, and a stride towards a sustainable future.

The WA Wetlands Conference is set to return in 2025 to our reinvigorated and modernised Centre, amidst the lush bushland surrounding the resplendent Bibra Lake, the heart of the Beeliar Wetlands. We look forward to continuing our tradition of facilitating a meaningful symposium and providing access to quality keynotes, engaging session speakers, inspirational success stories, informative panels, networking opportunities and hands-on workshops.