Asian Wetlands Network
(Self-Description : August 2008)
THE Asian Wetlands Network (Asian Wet Net) was established in 2005, following an initiation and agreement among the participants and instructors of the International Training Course on “Tropical Wetlands Management” held in July 2005 by the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies at Thailand’s Mahidol University. The event was held in collaboration with The Colombo Plan Secretariat and the Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency.
Objectives
To serve as a platform for joint collaboration among wetland scientists in wetland management activities region-wide.
Target Activities
- Creating and maintaining a website/webpage for the Network
- Tracking and keeping the news, progress, and on-going activities of members, and keeping all network members in touch (who’s doing what, where, when )
- Gathering and drawing examples of “Best Practices in Tropical Wetlands Management” from member countries and posting those examples on the Web
- Setting up a wetland library, clearing houses, keeping lists of materials, manuals, and key references
- Encouraging members to continue doing research, write and publish papers concerning wetlands (one possibility is to submit papers for publication in the Environment and Natural Resources Journal of the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University
- Establishing a wetland advocacy group “I Love Wetlands” which will be open for everyone who is interested in wetland ecology, conservation and management.
- Holding a “Wetlands Conference” in order to bring back Network members and alumni of wetland training courses to present their work
Membership
Asian Wet Net consists of wetland scientists and professionals with practical experience applying to wetlands. The membership is drawn from respected professionals in countries throughout Asia, including: Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Iran, Maldives, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
Collaborative Network
- The University Network for Wetland Ecology and Conservation
- Mekong Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation Programme
- UrbanEcoStudio, EU Asia-Link Project
- Ramsar Center Japan
- BirdLife Asia Division
- Wageningen International
- Wetlands International-Thailand Programme
- WWF-Thailand
- Office of Environmental and Natural Resource Policy and Planning
- Bird Conservation Society of Thailand