Project Description
Since 1996, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has partnered with various wetland organizations and scientists from the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and the Ramsar Convention to offer training opportunities for wetland managers in Mexico. From 30 January – 12 February 2006 the 8th Wetland Training Course will take place in the city of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. This training course consists of lectures and field exercises regarding the principles and basic techniques and methodologies of modern wetland definition, classification, evaluation, legislation, conservation and management, including resident and migrant species, with special emphasis on shorebirds and waterfowl. Participants will receive a 650-page training manual that complements information provided during the workshop. The second component of this model is a public awareness campaign that will be designed to promote the ecological and economic importance of wetlands, the Ramsar Convention, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, the North American Wetland Conservation Act, and the Sonoran Joint Venture among the public and governmental agencies in the state of Baja California Sur. This campaign includes a special event to celebrate the official World Wetlands Day on 2 February 2006; a photography contest; an artwork contest for children; wetland-related conferences; television and radio programs; and press conferences and releases. The Mexican government recognized the Veracruz Model with a Wetland Conservation Award during a World Wetland Day Ceremony in February 2004.