Society of Wetland Scientists facts for kids

The Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) is a global group of experts who care about wetlands. Wetlands are special areas like marshes, swamps, and bogs where water covers the soil, or is near the surface, for at least part of the year. SWS is a non-profit organization. This means they use their money to help their cause, not to make a profit.

The main goal of SWS is to make sure wetlands are understood and protected. They want to use good science to guide people who work with wetlands. They also want to help the public learn about these important places. SWS helps with research, teaching, and taking care of wetlands. They work to save, restore, and manage wetlands around the world. SWS is based in Washington, DC, United States. It has more than 3,000 members from many different countries. Anyone who is interested in wetlands can join.

What Does the Society of Wetland Scientists Do?

The Society of Wetland Scientists works to protect and understand wetlands. They do this in several ways:

• They support research to learn more about how wetlands work.
• They provide education to help people understand why wetlands are important.
• They promote conservation to protect wetlands from harm.
• They encourage restoration to bring damaged wetlands back to health.
• They help with management to make sure wetlands are cared for properly.

Global Reach and Local Groups

SWS has groups in different parts of the world. These are called regional chapters. They help focus on wetland issues specific to those areas. For example, there are chapters in Asia, Europe, Canada, and various regions across the United States.

The SWS also has special groups called sections. These sections focus on specific topics related to wetlands. For instance, there are groups for wetland restoration, wildlife in wetlands, and how climate change affects wetlands. These groups help organize events and workshops.

Training Wetland Experts

SWS is connected to a program that helps train and certify wetland professionals. This program makes sure that people who work with wetlands have the right knowledge and experience. When someone is certified as a Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS), it means they meet high standards. It shows they are experts in wetland science. There is also a step called Wetland Professional in Training (WPIT). This is for people who have the right education but are still gaining work experience.

History of the Society of Wetland Scientists

The Society of Wetland Scientists was started in March 1980. A biologist named Richard Macomber founded the group. He worked for the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

The very first SWS meeting happened in Tampa, Florida, in the same year it was founded. The first president of SWS was James F. Parnell. He was from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

In 1981, SWS started publishing a science journal called Wetlands. This journal shares new research about wetlands with scientists and other professionals. At first, it published notes from the annual meeting. Now, it comes out four times a year. It helps share important wetland discoveries with people all over the world. The journal is published by Springer on behalf of SWS.

Protecting Lake Ohrid and Studenchishte Marsh

Since 2015, the SWS Europe Chapter has been working to protect Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia. Lake Ohrid is one of the most diverse freshwater lakes on Earth. It has many unique plants and animals. Near the lake is Studenchishte Marsh, which is the last part of a much larger wetland that used to be there.

SWS Europe Chapter has supported local groups like EDEN and Ohrid SOS. They wanted Lake Ohrid and Studenchishte Marsh to be recognized as a "Wetland of International Importance." This special status is given under the Ramsar Convention. The Ramsar Convention is an international agreement to protect wetlands.

In 2017, a proposal from Ohrid SOS, supported by SWS, was sent to the Macedonian government. It asked for Lake Ohrid and Studenchishte Marsh to become Ramsar Sites. On March 20, 2018, the government decided to move forward with this idea. In February 2021, both areas officially became Ramsar Sites. This means they are now recognized globally for their importance. The SWS Europe Chapter also created a statement about protecting the Lake Ohrid ecosystem. It explains why the area is important and suggests ways to protect and restore it.