developing a wetland centre, English - Wetland Link International

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Chapter 6 – What to say?Wetland centres are likely to develop formal (school and college) and informal(general visitation) learning programmes that convey messages about the importanceof water, wetlands and wetland biodiversity. Further, they may emphasise threats towetlands as well as conservation solutions. Those linked to Ramsar sites and/oraware of the Ramsar Convention objectives will promote the concept of the wise-useof wetlands.Wetland centres may develop a hierarchy of messages as follows:• Core messages – These comprise the baseline of knowledge,attitudes/values and skills needed by individuals and societies toinform and take action on behalf of the future sustainability ofwetlands and their biodiversity (or cultural/archaeologicaldiversity).• Corporate messages – These are about the organisation runningthe wetland centre. What are its vision and mission, aims andobjectives, origins, history and achievements? What does itbelieve in? What does it do? How may the visitor becomeinvolved?• Wetland centre-specific messages – These are messages thatare unique to the individual wetland centre. They comprisestories about the place that cover:Core Messages - At their simplest, core messages may be expressed as:• Wetlands and their wildlife are wonderful.• Wetlands and their wildlife are integral for human survival andprosperity• Wetlands are in trouble and need our help• We can all do something to help.Different wetland centres will further differentiate these messages in their own ways.Below is an example of a wetland curriculum developed by the WWT. Thiscurriculum is not taught per se in schools – rather the concepts contained within it areinfused into the appropriate areas of the English National Curriculum. It does informWWT thinking, however, when designing interpretative programmes and exhibits,both formal and informal.20
Wetland knowledgeWater and wetlandsWetlands as models ofbasic ecologyBasic comprehension of water and wetlandecosystems/communitiesWater• What is water?• Hydrology• The water cycleWetlands• What are wetlands? (Ramsar and otherdefinitions).• Types of wetlands and their characteristicsRoles of wetlands• Water storage• Carbon sinks• Cleaner or filter• Protector against extreme weather like floods,storms and tsunamis• Provider of products• Homes to biodiversity (the variety of life –animals, plants, microorganisms etc.).What do wetlands mean to us?• Historical and socio-cultural – civilisationsbegan around wetlands. Many major citiesare built in and around wetlands• Economic – what are wetlands worth? Howcan sustainable wetlands support livelihoodsand reduce poverty?• Artistic – wetlands have provided a muse forcenturies as expressed through art, music,literature, drama, dance, TV, film etc.• Spiritual – religious or secular. Wetlandsalso provide a profound sense of place.Energy flow• Solar energy• Photosynthesis• Food chains• Food webs and pyramids• Ecological energeticsCycles• Air• Soil• Carbon• Nitrogen21
Page 1 and 2: DEVELOPING AWETLANDCENTRE1: Public
Page 3 and 4: Chapter 1 - Introduction“Can you
Page 5 and 6: Chapter 2 - The world of wetland ce
Page 7 and 8: Chapter 3 - The contextPeter Scott,
Page 9 and 10: • Using a diversity of approaches
Page 11 and 12: Wetland Link International (WLI)WLI
Page 13 and 14: through the conservation of the par
Page 15 and 16: At the end of the process, the Mast
Page 17 and 18: Learning Policies - These are likel
Page 19: Please note that the above sequence
Page 23 and 24: Sustainability• Concept and defin
Page 25 and 26: CommunicationCommunication• Commu
Page 27 and 28: Chapter 7 - And to whom?Who will vi
Page 29 and 30: • Financial - can the visitor aff
Page 31 and 32: • Basic physiological needs - are
Page 33 and 34: At site level• Ecological integra
Page 35 and 36: • Information - ensuring a hierar
Page 37 and 38: Modularity - The wetland centre fac
Page 39 and 40: Chapter 9 - HardwareChapters 9 and
Page 41 and 42: • Touch screens are one example o
Page 43 and 44: Chapter 10 - SoftwareBy ‘software
Page 45 and 46: Chapter 11 - OperationsOperating or
Page 47 and 48: Sometimes there will be tensions in
Page 49 and 50: Chapter 13 Case studiesAs an online
Page 51 and 52: SUDS - Sustainable Urban Drainage S
Page 53 and 54: Chapter 16 AcknowledgmentsProduced
Page 55: This manual was produced withthe he

developing a wetland centre, English - Wetland Link International

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