
OUR
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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:
- To promote wetlands and peatlands as important places of biodiversity and conservation, as well as community integration, well-being and ownership.
- To facilitate the sharing of knowledge, ideas, and organisational methods between members.
- 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.
- To facilitate regular Community Wetlands Forum meetings where all stakeholders in wetland conservation can participate as equal partners.
- 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
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
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
developing partnerships
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