Culture and nature

This chapter provides an overview of activities undertaken in the context of the Convention on Wetlands (the Ramsar Convention) on cultural and spiritual aspects of nature, with respect to wetlands and water environments. The Ramsar Convention is the oldest of the modern global environmental treaties, and it is the only one to focus on a particular ecosystem. Cultural values are a fundamental component of its scope, but their full implications have only received focused attention since the late 1990s. Current work on data systems, engagement through the Ramsar Culture Network, and robust policies and guidance are now enabling a more truly integrated (‘nature-culture’) approach.