Lake Connewarre Ramsar Expansion: Recognising Mangrove Protection

Sketching with watercolours from my kayak beneath the mangrove canopy

Mangroves from the Water (MFTW) welcomes the announcement of expanded Ramsar protection for internationally significant wetlands, including the Lake Connewarre Complex.

This is encouraging news for the future of these interconnected wetland ecosystems and marks another positive development for a site where MFTW has advocated for conservation. Our first such campaign was at Khor Al Beidah in Umm Al Quwain, UAE, where we have advocated for the protection of its remarkable mangrove ecosystem.

Since 2019, I have been advocating for the mangroves of Lake Connewarre and its connected Barwon River Estuary through my art, environmental activities and MFTW group art exhibitions. This advocacy was also documented in my PhD research.

Earlier this year, MFTW prepared a photographic proposal, incorporating feedback from the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA), Parks Victoria and community representatives. I subsequently met with Federal MP Libby Coker and Victorian MP Alison Marchant to advocate for the protection of Lake Connewarre and the connected Barwon River Estuary, with particular attention to its mangroves.

While the announcement recognises the importance of wetlands, saltmarsh, seagrass and migratory shorebirds, mangroves have not been specifically mentioned. Mangrove habitats are part of wetland ecosystems and play an integral role in the ecological connections across the estuary. They deserve explicit recognition in long-term conservation and management.

MFTW welcomes this important progress and looks forward to clarification of how the expanded Ramsar protection will safeguard the mangroves and the wider Barwon River Estuary.

We also recognise that this achievement reflects years of dedication and advocacy by local communities, environmental groups, agency partners and MPs. We extend our congratulations and sincere thanks to everyone involved in bringing this important protection forward.

Protecting our wetlands means recognising their ecological connections, including the mangroves.

Australian Government – Joint media release: Ramsar wetland expansion boost for vulnerable shorebirds