WWA Wisconsin Ramsar Committee | A look into Door County wetlands

My chosen actor, Wisconsin Wetlands Association, collaborates with multiple NGOs, several levels of government, home and land owners, and every day people to promote advancement in wetland protection, reclamation, and sustainable recreation.  The network is comprised of, but not limited to:

• Wisconsin Wetlands Association
• Ducks Unlimited
• the Healing our Waters Coalition
• the Association of State Wetland Managers
• the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands 
• the U.S. National Ramsar Committee 
• the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative
• the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program 
• and other regional or nationwide initiatives 

The WWA has multiple programs, advocacy groups, educational workshops, and many other initiatives; however, I wanted to highlight the progress made in Door County.  

"Joe-pye weed blossoms in a sedge meadow along Mink River shoreline in northern Door County. The Mink River drains to Lake Michigan at Rowley Bay." (Picture courtesy of Clint Farlinger/Journal Sentinel)

The network of organizations involved with this project, headed by WWA, included The Nature Conservancy, USFWS, USDA-NRCS, and Wisconsin DNR. Working together they accomplished a "Wetlands of International Importance" (also referred to as Ramsar site) designation on over "11,440 acres of pristine sedge meadows, lowland forests, marshes, groundwater springs and fens in northern Door County that harbor rare plants and animals..." (Don Behm of the Journal Sentinel)

The WWA has an underlying program entitled Wetland Gems which was created in 2009 to gain public attention and highlight the benefits of wetlands. This particular program helped guide site nomination for the WWA Wisconsin Ramsar Committee.  Wetland Gems

In order to understand the significance of being a Ramsar site, it is important to learn a brief history of the Ramsar Convention.  It is an international treaty, now including roughly 90% of UN member states, that targets wetland and habitat loss. During the 1960s this movement sprang to life, but the treaty wasn't ratified until 1973 in Ramsar, Iran and finally was put into place in 1975.  (Ramsar Fact Sheet)

Knowing the players involved and a general idea of the outcome of this program, let's breakdown how the program works. Ramsar's governing body controls the nomination process and requires scientific, historical, and cultural information for the site.  Maps, letters of support from the community, local or state wildlife/natural resource agencies, at least one member of congress and all adjoining landowners of the site must approve of the designation. Before Ramsar reviews this documentation, the US Fish & Wildlife Service reviews and approves it.  


The benefits of being classified as Ramsar site has significant benefits such as increased funding, stronger protection, and more potential for science and recreational opportunities. 

The Journal Sentinel article written by Don Behm included a fantastic picture of the areas in Door County that are the designated Wetlands of International Importance.

According to Behm, over 150 bird species rely on these wetlands for their yearly nesting and migrations. Among the bird species, 23 of them are warblers.  This habitat is crucial to the common goldeneye diving duck. 

Within these wetlands reside the largest known population of an endangered species, the Hine's emerald dragonfly. 







Another endangered species found here, is a rare plant - the dwarf lake iris.  This particular plant is only found on the shores of Lakes Michigan and Huron.

I'd like to conclude this blog post on a more personal note.  Doing the research on this topic and learning the scale of interest and protection for wetlands is thrilling.  The Ramsar website is super cool - if you have time check out the pictures and videos.  There are over 2000 Ramsar sites to date.  (Ramsar site map)


WWA Issues and News
WWA Ramsar Committee
JS Article - Door County wetlands
International Treaty Group Recognizes Door County Wetlands
Ramsar website