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. On February 2-15, 2009, the 11th Wetlands Training Course will take place in the State of Baja California, Mexico. The 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. The second component of this model is a public awareness campaign that will be designed to promote the ecological and economic importance of wetland, the Ramsar Convention, the NAWMP, NAWCA, and the Sonoran Joint Venture among the public and governmental agencies in Baja California. This campaign includes a special event to celebrate Mexico’s World Wetlands Day, on February 2, 2009 (with national media coverage); a photography contest; an artwork contest for children; wetland‑related conferences; television and radio programs; and press conferences and releases.