Celebrating International Wetlands Day

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inAlberta, Canada, Edmonton, John E Poole, LadyBudd, St. Albert, World Wetland DayTags:,

“I believe you should try to help your community if you’re fortunate enough to have that opportunity. I think you should leave something behind.”

John E. Poole (1917-2007)

Today is World Wetlands Day. I am celebrating by remembering a day in October 2017 when I walked along the interpretative trail and boardwalk of the John E. Poole Wetlands near St. Albert, Alberta.

The air was pure Alberta, Canada.

The snow had not yet arrived but there was the unmistakable hint of the cold winter that would soon blanket the area. Vancouver is surrounded by the majesty of mountains, but Edmonton and St. Albert are encircled by a big sky that goes on to an infinite horizon.

John Poole died in his 90th year, suddenly and peacefully on January 22, 2007, after a joyous family birthday celebration. Thirty years before in 1977, he sold his construction company to its employees, which is now known as PCL Construction. The company continues to be 100 percent owned by employee shareholders across Canada, the United States, and Australia.

John Poole devoted his retirement years to philanthropy and was beloved for his knowledge, creativity and humanity. In 2009, Ducks Unlimited and PCL Construction announced the creation of the John E. Poole Conservation Fund to help preserve wetlands throughout the province.

World Wetlands Day is held annually on February 2nd, to commemorate the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands called the Ramsar Convention on February 2, 1971. The Convention is the intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

The John E. Poole Wetland is a call to action. The preservation of our wetlands is safeguarding life on our planet. Wetlands are biologically diverse ecosystems that provide habitat for many species, serve as buffers on the coast against storms and flooding, and naturally filter water by breaking down or transforming harmful pollutants.

This is our time, our watch – may we celebrate our wetlands by seeking environmental solutions in our daily lives. We can make a difference.

Join me in walking the John E. Poole Wetland:

My dear friends, The Fab Four of Cley, were celebrating World Wetland Day too! We belong to a compassionate blogging community that spans the globe!
https://fabfourblog.com/2019/02/01/world-wetland-day/

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

28 thoughts on “Celebrating International Wetlands Day”

    1. You would love Alberta!! Spectacular place to live, which I did many years ago. There have been many changes since that time, but one thing that has never changed was the beauty of the natural surroundings.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. What a gorgeous and important celebration. We used to live near the London Wetland Centre – a much smaller venture than the one in Alberta but still a vital conservation area. Sir Peter Scott, who founded the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, was a remarkable man just like Poole. How fortunate we are that these visionaries were able to make such an amazing contribution to our world. https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I agree wholeheartedly! Visionaries remind us of our sacred duty to this earth. I just viewed the London Wetland Centre website – amazing. This is a quote that I particularly like: “If rainforests are the lungs of the planet, then wetlands are the lifeblood. As much as we need air to breathe, we need water to live. The conservation of our wetlands is essential to all life on Earth.” https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/#
      I’m delighted that we celebrated Wetlands Day together, Liz! I’ve just put London Wetland on my “to see” list!!

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Paulette – your compassion for our earth and all that live and share our planet is demonstrated in everything you do, write, and speak about. It is an honour to know you and learn about the remarkable acts of kindness generated by your writing. Over the past 10 – 15 years, I have integrated new learnings. We moved to a location where I can walk rather than take a car to work or the grocery stores. I bring along my bag to avoid the bags made of plastic. Vancouver introduced organic recycling several years ago. Learning to choose a better way, has become my mantra. Big hugs coming back to you!! ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Dear Rebecca, I thank you very much for this beautiful and interesting post about this outstanding character and region.:) I think many more such people are needed to change the course of our societies and environments! I hope you are well and I wish a pleasant Sunday. Very best regards Martina

    Liked by 2 people

  5. I’ve always thought that wetlands have a particularly subtle beauty that calls for standing very still and patiently to fully appreciate. Your photos made me want to get in the car and drive over to Saco, Maine to do just that.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I just headed over to Saco, Maine via a Google Search and found this remarkable gem Saco Heath Preserve – I can see why you want to head over there.
      https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/saco-heath-preserve/
      We live in an extraordinary planet – most days we are too busy for those essential moments of reflection. One of my favourite poems on nature is by Lord Byron:
      “There is pleasure in the pathless woods,
      There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
      There is society, where none intrudes,
      By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
      I love not man the less, but Nature more.”

      We belong to the earth!!! Thank you for joining the celebration.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Dear Rebecca,
    last Friday we published our blog post about the World Wetland Day as well. It was celebrated in a big way here in Cley with talks and walks. We have this Simon Aspinall Education Centre at our reserve. He wasn’t only our neighbour but also one of the initiators of the Ramsar Convention.
    With lots of love ❤ ❤ to our dear Canadian friend, hugs and xxxx
    The Fab Four of Cley
    💃🚶‍♂️👭

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I just came over to your post! I remember the special day that we spent with the Fab Four of Cley. We visited the Simon Aspinall Education Centre together. Would you mind if I edited my post to include a link to your blog to show that we were celebrating together. We may live on opposite sides of the world, but we are traveling the same path. Many hugs and love coming across the post to our dear friends.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Dear Rebeca,
        we would feel honoured if you include a link to our post. Thank you.
        Sorry, that we didn’t answered earlier but unfortunately this comment was send into the spam where we just found it.
        We send you lots of love, hugs und all the best
        The Fab Four of Cley
        🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  7. The conversation about our environment is so important and the comments above show there is a real concern among us to preserve our beautiful earth. Thank you for this post, the remembrance of that special one is important and we owe a lot to his care, concern and example.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. There is a groundswell of acceptance that we are all responsible for the care of this world. But we face difficult questions in the transition. As an example, we have lived with plastics for decades – have come to rely on its use in food safety, health care and for its overall efficiency. I carry a shopping back everywhere I go, but there is much work to be done. Recyling plastic works for a while, but there comes a time, when plastic can no longer be recycled. The good news it that there is a new kind of plastic coming which can be broken down into the same basic building blocks that it came from and be rebuilt again and again. We are seeking solutions, but time is of the essence.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. A beautiful post, Rebecca and perfect way to commemorate this special day! John Poole has left behind a wonderful legacy in the form of this wetland and the light and landscape is ethereal.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. I saw their post earlier in the week and nearly mentioned it in my comment. You are all blessed with amazing wetlands near you … and how true that the compassion and goodness of the blogging community spreads across the world!

        Liked by 1 person

  9. What a beautiful thing to celebrate. And that infinite sky sounds so mesmerizing. Hope all is well with you. So nice to see you post.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. How wonderful to see your comment! Thank you for celebrating this special day with me – a profound confirmation that we all are working together to preserve earth, our home. Every act gives meaning.

      Like

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