Each year World Wetlands Day is marked on 2nd February to raise awareness about their existence, beauty and value. - Photo:canva.com
Columban missionaries around the world take part in opportunities to care for God’s creation in practical ways, and through works of formation and advocacy.
Wetlands are fundamental to life, being central to food supplies, clean water, habitat for species, regulating the climate and protecting coastlines. They are also important places for wellbeing and have cultural meaning. On 2nd February 1971, the Ramsar Convention was signed by nations. Australia was amongst the first to sign up and has sixty-seven sites of significance across urban, rural and coastal areas. Wetlands are land areas that are saturated with water either seasonally or permanently. Each year World Wetlands Day is marked on 2nd February to raise awareness about their existence, beauty and value.
Being involved in projects that support the restoration of the local community of life steps us out into co-creating and living a vision for a healthier future for all. Recalling too that local action has wider significance as all communities of life are intimately connected.
Here in Melbourne local storm surges in recent days have battered the built environment and impacted various revegetation projects. Moving aside the debris that had collected along the banks of an urban creek from torrents of water revealed the wonder of nature’s resilience. Indigenous grasses and small shrubs planted by a revegetation group in recent months were still very much alive under piles of matted weeds and rubbish swept down by the deluge. The group came in after the storm to clean up the area and re-stake the young plants, and are back each week. Walking along the creek after the mornings work, feelings of peace and contentment arose and imaginings that the creek was grateful for the ongoing care of the group.
Sr Caroline Vaitkunas RSM
Peace, Ecology and Justice Office
Columban Mission Centre, Essendon
