OUR vISION

A society where wetlands are valued by local communities and community engagement is valued as a means of protecting and managing wetlands for present and future generations

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Community Group Members

Stakeholder Members

OUR MISSION

To support the protection, management and wise use of Ireland’s wetlands for sustainable communities, by providing a network for community wetland groups to share knowledge, ideas, research, and best practice

Our Values

Promoting the wise use of wetlands

Fostering well-being for individuals and communities

Adherence to community development principles

Conservation and care for the environment in all our activities

Aims and Objectives

The main aim of the CWF is to provide a representative platform for community-led wetland conservation groups based on the principles of community development (empowerment; participation; inclusion; self-determination; and partnership). In support of the main objective, CWF has the following subsidiary objectives:

  1. To promote wetlands and peatlands as important places of biodiversity and conservation, as well as community integration, well-being and ownership.
  1. To facilitate the sharing of knowledge, ideas, and organisational methods between members.
  1. To grow the network by encouraging new community groups who are in the process of developing community wetlands or who wish to undertake such developments to join CWF.
  1. To facilitate regular Community Wetlands Forum meetings where all stakeholders in wetland conservation can participate as equal partners.
  1. To share the latest research and approaches in conservation best practice, and facilitate access to national and international expertise, similar networks, and funding possibilities.

CWF Strategic Plan 2017-2020

The Community Wetlands Forum Strategic Plan 2017–2020 informs the group’s activities and aims to develop and raise awareness of the Community Wetlands Forum as a network, as well as providing a support framework for communities engaged in wetland conservation.
The Strategic Plan will enable the CWF to fulfil its objectives of promoting wetlands as important places of biodiversity and conservation, as well as improving community involvement and engagement with wetlands. The Plan aims to provide a strategy that facilitates the sharing of advice and guidance on sustainable community engagement for the wise use of wetlands among diverse stakeholders using a collaborative and partnership approach.

Local communities and volunteer organisations like the Community Wetlands Forum, with the support of other organisations, are voluntary stewards of our wetland resources. The model of community engagement adopted by the Forum promotes positive relationships, implementing local solutions and is a link between public authorities and individuals in the on-going sustainable management of natural heritage sites.

It is a powerful model with the ability to change perceptions, educate and inform others of the many benefits that conservation can bring. I therefore commend the forum for adopting a Strategic Plan for the coming years

President Michael D Higgins

Abbeyleix - 25 May 2017

Launching the Strategic Plan

President Michael D Higgins delivered the keynote address at the launch of the plan in Abbeyleix, Co Laois

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Launching the Strategic Plan

President Michael D Higgins attended the launch of CWFs Strategic Plan during Biodiversity Week 2017 in Abbeyleix

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Work Plan Actions 2017-2020

As part of the strategic planning process, members were involved in round table discussions and a workshop. Arising out of this, members developed and agreed on a broad work plan, which resulted in a list of 72 actions under the following 10 headings

Growing membership

Identifying community groups involved in wetland conservation and management. Raising awareness of supports offered by the CWF

developing partnerships

Developing a culture of open and inclusive collaboration and knowledge exchange between community groups and other key stakeholders involved in managing and conserving wetlands

community engagement with wetlands

Encouraging an integrated approach to supporting communities who wish to become involved in the management and conservation of their local wetland

communication & awareness-raising

Identifying & using Best Practice in developing communications strategies to promote wetlands and their wise use both locally and nationally.

capacity building & funding

Developing the knowledge, skills, resources and supports to implement actions and assist communities in conserving and managing their local wetland

ecosystem services research

Evaluating and raising awareness of ecosystem services and the socio-economic benefits provided by wetlands and peatlands to communities

Conservation & biodiversity projects

Identifying conservation management measures which can be implemented by local communities & partnering with agencies, NGOs and academia to deliver Citizen Science projects

Education & interpretation

Identifying the wetland education needs of local communities, and providing a central resource of materials about education and interpretation at wetland sites

site management, recreation & Amenity

Facilitating ecologically sensitive amenity and tourism use of wetlands to support communities and sharing knowledge and best practice guidance with members

monitoring implementation of the plan

Planning to ensure the actions outlined are implemented by responsible partners, and reporting and reviewing on progress
View and download the full strategic plan
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