International Symposium on Water and Wetlands in the Mediterranean “From Grado to Agadir: The next 20 years”

International Symposium, Agadir, Morocco, 6-8 February 2012

RESTORE - Restoring Europe's Rivers

Wetlands International encourages the restoration of European rivers towards a more natural state to deliver increased environmental quality, flood risk reduction, and social and economic benefits.

In the partnership RESTORE we share knowledge to policymakers, river basin organisation and practitioners and promote best practice on river restoration in Europe.

Saving water for the Mujib Reserve, Jordan

Together with the Royal Society for Conservation of Nature (RSCN) we worked in Jordan to reduce the impact of the dam upstream on the Mujib reserve, involve the local population in agricultural activities to save water and preserve water quality, and make sure that the Mujib reserve water needs are fulfilled in water management plans and decisions of the government.

Water for all in the Ichkeul Basin, Tunisia

By setting up a dialogue between the different demanders of water, we built a consensus that assured the access to water of all (farmers, dams, etc.) as well as preserves the wetlands and biodiversity of the Ichkeul Basin in Tunisia on the long term. This work was done with our local partner INAT, the Institut National Agronomique.

Improving the water quality of the Sebou River, Morocco

The Sebou River in Morocco suffers from serious pollution problems. To successfully push for control of urban pollution, we developed a monitoring & evaluation system for surface water quality.

Managing water with communities in the Mahanadi Delta, India

In the Mahandi Delta, Orissa, India, we word to reduce flood risks by managing and  restoring wetlands, as areas were excsessive water can be stored.

Restoring the high mountain peatlands of Ruoergai, China

Drainage, Yak and sheep overgrazing, and erosion severely damage the high altitude peatlands of the Ruoergai, located on the Tibetan Plateau in China. Working with communities and the government we diminish the grazing pressure, block erosion gullies, re-seed grassland and much more. The goal is to give the marshes their important natural functions back and improve the inhabitants well-being.

Influencing policies along the Niger River

We provide key tools and knowldge in the development and implementation of major government policies in the entire Niger River Basin, which stretches from Guinea Chonakry all the way to the Niger Delta in Nigeria. We use our experience in the Inner Niger Delta as the basis for his work.

Maintaining Wetlands and Livelihoods in the Paraná Delta, Argentina (La Plata basin)

This project aims to fight the current degradation of the Parana Delta wetlands by influencing the “Strategic Integral Plan for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Parana Delta” (PIECAS) and other policy processes, contributing to the implementation of an Integrated Management of Wetland Resources approach, as a basis for food and water security; and for new livelihood strategies that will support sustainable economic development.

For a healthy Inner Niger Delta, Mali

The Inner Niger Delta is a lifeline for one and a half million people, whose flooding provide fish, fodder for their cattle and water for rice production. This inland delta is also home to millions of waterbirds, that migrate to this rich environment, as well as hippos and many other species. We work with communities and Malinese government to restore the flood forest, reduce the people's poverty and prevent the negative impacts of dams and climate change on the delta.