Mer Bleue is a 3,500-hectare wetland, located at the edge of Canada’s Capital Region, in Ottawa. Ecologically, Mer Bleue is a unique example of a northern ecosystem — more typical of the Arctic than of the Ottawa Valley. Internationally recognized by the Ramsar Convention for its contribution to the global environment, Mer Bleue plays an important part in protecting the diversity of plants and animals in our region and in stabilizing the climate globally. It may well be the single-most studied bog in the world.
Celebrating Mer Bleue’s 15th Anniversary as a Ramsar Site
Come and join us as we celebrate a half century of conservation success at Mer Bleue wetland on September 21 and 26, 2010. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the designation (on September 26, 1995) of the Mer Bleue Bog as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Canada joined the Convention in 1981, and has 37 sites, covering 13 million hectares, designated under the Convention on Wetlands. The NCC takes a great deal of pride in being associated with the Ramsar Convention.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 1 pm to 3:30 pm
P22 Mer Bleue Boardwalk Picnic Shelter, Ridge Road
The Mer Bleue Wetland Conservation Awards will be presented to recognize and honour individuals, organizations and universities that have made a significant contribution to wetland conservation and research.
Sunday, September 26, 2010, 9:30 am to noon
P22 Mer Bleue Boardwalk Picnic Shelter, Ridge Road
The official anniversary date of Mer Bleue joining the Ramsar Convention will be a fun-filled morning with many activities, such as on-site boardwalk tours led by conservation enthusiasts and climate change researchers. Also included will be activities with nature artist Marc Walter and children’s environmental educator Alan Earwaker, as well as a Friends of Mer Bleue tree-planting session and a performance by the local Junkyard Symphony. This is certainly a day not to be missed for the kids and the whole family!