World Wetlands Day: The Role of Cultural Knowledge and eDNA in Wetland Management

2 February 2026

• World Wetlands Day 2026: Cultural Heritage and Traditional Knowledge
• Australia is home to several internationally recognised and culturally significant wetlands

• Land and wetland management is most effective when collaborative approaches are grounded in cultural knowledge

Today is World Wetlands Day, an important reminder of the critical role wetlands play in our landscapes, communities, and the future sustainability of our planet. 

Wetlands are rich biodiversity hotspots that perform essential ecosystem functions. They store carbon, support life, help manage floods, keep waterways clean, and hold deep cultural and spiritual connections. 

Australia is home to several internationally recognised and culturally significant wetlands. EnviroDNA has had the pleasure of designing and delivering ecological surveys across these landscapes with our clients to better understand their ecological value. 

Strengthening management of wetlands 

A broad spectrum of plants and animals depend on wetlands for their survival, including invertebrates, birds, fish, frogs, mammals, and reptiles. Understanding wetlands at a broad biological level increases our ability to understand their value and assess changes resulting from management actions. 

Our work often involves helping landholders, Traditional Owners, and private partners, navigate projects to better monitor wetlands, rivers, and waterways for improved conservation outcomes. World Wetlands Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the need to protect these ecosystems, and how innovative technologies such as eDNA can play a role. 

By recognising and celebrating this day, we reinforce our commitment to using innovative technologies to help sustain wetlands into the future. 

Combined management with cultural knowledge 

Land and wetland management is most effective when collaborative approaches are grounded in cultural knowledge. The theme for World Wetlands Day 2026 celebrates Cultural Heritage and Traditional Knowledge, recognising the deep cultural, ecological, and spiritual connections that wetlands hold. 

Today, it is important to highlight the role of First Nations knowledge systems in caring for Country. We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia’s first scientists, with over 65,000 years of knowledge in caring for and managing Country, and the value systems that are deeply connected to these ecosystems. 

These management practices include land, water, and fire management interventions across wetlands that continue to guide sustainable stewardship today. 

Through the Traditional Owner eDNA Training Program, we have seen several applications of First Nations–led stewardship of Country for wetland management, complemented by eDNA data.

These projects have involved gathering comprehensive biodiversity data to confirm the presence of totemic species; guiding invasive species control, such as detecting feral pigs that threaten critical wetlands; monitoring biodiversity over time to understand management interventions; and using eDNA as a tool to monitor cultural flows and returned species. 

Protecting wetlands means combining science, culture, and collaboration, ensuring these vital ecosystems continue to thrive. 

World Wetlands Day reminds us of the importance of preserving these unique landscapes for today’s communities and future generations, so they can continue to benefit from the valuable services wetlands provide.