1. Assessing the Value of Ramsar Designation: Survey Results from North America COP10 Side Event 1 November 2008

2. Agenda Overview and Results of the U.S. Survey: Kim Diana Connolly Overview and Results of the Canadian Survey: Clayton Rubec Benefits of International Designations in Mexico: Ernesto Enkerlin Next Generation-African Research: Abou Bamba Conversation regarding Broader Themes and Next Steps: Mila Llorens Assessing the Value of Ramsar Designation: Survey Results from North America COP10, 1 November 2008, Slide 2

3. U.S. National Ramsar Committee Mission: Support the goals and objectives of the Ramsar Convention within the U.S. and internationally Members: NGOs and academics with an interest in Ramsar issues Observers: Representatives of U.S. agencies (FWS, State, EPA, Forest Service, NOAA) Informal cooperation comes from U.S. Ramsar site managers and other interested parties www.ramsarcommittee.us Assessing the Value of Ramsar Designation: Survey Results from North America COP10, 1 November 2008, Slide 3

4. Survey of U.S. Ramsar Sites Overview of Survey (performed in 2006) Site Identification with Ramsar Benefits of Ramsar Designation Recommendations to Strengthen Ramsar in the United States Assessing the Value of Ramsar Designation: Survey Results from North America COP10, 1 November 2008, Slide 4,

5. http://www.ramsarcommittee.us/ ELR%20Ramsar%20article.pdf Assessing the Value of Ramsar Designation: Survey Results from North America COP10, 1 November 2008, Slide 5

6. Assessing the Value of Ramsar Designation: Survey Results from North America COP10, 1 November 2008, Slide 6

7. Survey Instrument History First generation survey contained in the Environmental Law Review Article Second generation survey developed by Canada Third generation survey developed and used for survey of African nations, available on-line (in both French and English) at http://law.sc.edu/wetlands/ramsar/ http://law.sc.edu/wetlands/ramsar/ Assessing the Value of Ramsar Designation: Survey Results from North America COP10, 1 November 2008, Slide 7

8. Site Identification with Ramsar Signs, Certificates, Plaques, Wall Panels Brochures Websites Assessing the Value of Ramsar Designation: Survey Results from North America COP10, 1 November 2008, Slide 8

9. Site Identification with Ramsar Highway Signage Press Releases Ramsar Logo on Publications and Letterhead Assessing the Value of Ramsar Designation: Survey Results from North America COP10, 1 November 2008, Slide 9

10. Benefits of Ramsar Designation Increased Pride in Site Increased Local Awareness of Importance of Site Assessing the Value of Ramsar Designation: Survey Results from North America COP10, 1 November 2008, Slide 10

11. Benefits of Ramsar Designation Increased Funding Opportunities –NAWCA Grants –Land and Water Conservation Fund –NFWF and Other Grants Assessing the Value of Ramsar Designation: Survey Results from North America COP10, 1 November 2008, Slide 11,

12. Benefits of Ramsar Designation Support for Protection of Site and Surrounding Areas –Acquisition of Surrounding Lands –Encourages Watershed Conservation Partnerships –Invocation of Status in Response to Proposed Development Assessing the Value of Ramsar Designation: Survey Results from North America COP10, 1 November 2008, Slide 12

13. Benefits of Ramsar Designation Increased Scientific Studies and Tourism Activity –Izembek (eel grass studies) –Caddo Lake (environmental flows studies) –Catahoula Lake (vegetation and lakebed elevation studies) Assessing the Value of Ramsar Designation: Survey Results from North America COP10, 1 November 2008, Slide 13

14. Contact information for U.S. researchers : Royal C. Gardner Stetson University College of Law gardner@law.stetson.edu Kim Diana Connolly University of South Carolina School of Law connolly@sc.edu Assessing the Value of Ramsar Designation: Survey Results from North America COP10, 1 November 2008, Slide 14,

15. Questions? Assessing the Value of Ramsar Designation: Survey Results from North America COP10, 1 November 2008, Slide15