The French National Agency for Water and  Aquatic Environments (Office National de l’Eau et des Milieux Aquatiques - ONEMA) has recently launched a new portal providing information on wetlands.

The site, www.zones-humides.eaufrance.fr, launched on the occasion of the International Day of Wetlands (Journée Mondiale des Zones Humides), a celebration taking place every year on the 2 of February, gives information on the wetlands in France and access for the citizens to data previously available only to the authorities in charge of monitoring those areas.

The site disposes of information on 36 wetlands recognized for their international importance and documentation on the actions taken to preserve them; it also explains the difference among wetlands’ typologies and their functions and is an information source for persons or authorities wishing to take action in their preservation. Citizens can also consult the portal to be informed on the regulations adopted so far and on the annual events organized on this subject.

The site has been realized with the technical support of the International Office for Water (Office International de l’Eau - OIEAU) and with the collaboration of various public environmental authorities and agencies.

Further information:

• Original news item – ARTESI - ÃŽle-de-France website (in French)
• International Day of Wetlands website (in French)
• OIEAU website (in French)
• ONEMA website (in French)
• www.zones-humides.eaufrance.fr (in French)