The text of what was to become the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands Especially as Waterfowl Habitat developed progressively from 1965 to early 1970 as countries negotiated possible approaches to the first globally applicable protected area system. Changes between one of the earliest negotiating texts and the final text agreed at Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 highlight the nature of international conservation treaty building, especially the development of then-novel concepts such as the obligations that should ensue from the national designation of an internationally protected area.

Ongoing efforts to conserve wetlands require both opportunities for people to have place-based experiences in these environments and the effective communication of these opportunities. We document strong preferences among our survey respondents for visiting and learning more about wetlands and treading lightly. Our findings indicate rich and diverse opportunities for place-based experiences and for the wise use and conservation of our Ramsar wetlands.

We describe the approach and conservation efforts by a local environmental non-governmental organisation towards implementing the Ramsar Convention in the transboundary Prespa basin, which includes two ancient lakes. The Society for the Protection of Prespa, drawing support from international donors, has achieved benefits for waterbird populations, especially pelicans, achieved progress in the wetland’s wise use through community-based resource management and promoted transboundary collaboration.

Wetlands face an intensifying level of degradation from human disturbance, and management to protect their extent and character is paramount. To aid wetland management, we developed a tool, the Index of Wetland Condition, which is based on a conceptual model of wetland function. The index, with its weighted six subindices and 13 indicators, is designed to be readily used by wetland managers.

The Gunbower wetlands were recognised as wetlands of international significance under the Ramsar Convention in 1982. Sediment cores were retrieved from three Gunbower wetlands to trace changes to their ecological state over time. The basal sediments of the wetlands date back to the beginning of river regulation. The diatoms, X-ray fluorescence data and some stable isotope analysis revealed that the wetlands have transitioned to a degraded ecological state.

Wetlands are at the forefront of climate change impacts, and the threats to Australia’s forested wetlands have been well documented, especially mangroves along the northern coastline and river red gums within the Murray–Darling Basin. This review considers the results of detailed mapping of mangrove and river red gum extent, providing a new perspective on wetland vulnerability. Although droughts have periodically affected the extent and canopy cover of these forests, the overarching trend in both ecosystems has been one of tree expansion at the expense of wetland grasslands.

Wetlands are declining globally and face increasing risks from climate change. The Ramsar Convention provides limited guidance for maintaining the ecological character of wetlands under climate change. This study documents an adaptation planning case study for Muir–Byenup Ramsar wetland, Australia, where peat systems are threatened by acidification and fire. It found targeted climate adaptation policies and information for wetland management is needed.

The Universal Declaration of the Rights of Wetlands presents an opportunity to develop a new paradigm to reframe the human–wetlands relationship. Given the important role of wetlands in reversing climate destabilisation and biodiversity deterioration and loss, the reframing has the potential to open new possibilities for wetland, climate, and biodiversity policy.