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This edition places at its core the deep connection between wetlands, local communities and traditional knowledge, recognising these ecosystems not only as areas of outstanding environmental value, but also as places of identity, work and collective memory.

Wetlands: key ecosystems for nature and society

Lagoons, coastal ponds, marshes, rivers and temporary wetlands: Sardinia hosts an extraordinary diversity of wetland environments that play a fundamental role in biodiversity conservation, water regulation, carbon sequestration and climate change adaptation.

At the same time, these environments have been central to community life for centuries. They are places of traditional fishing, agriculture, gathering, craftsmanship, exchange and culture. Around wetlands, local knowledge systems, sustainable practices and traditions have developed over time, forming a living heritage
that is still deeply rooted in the island’s identity, yet often remains underrepresented.

Traditions, local knowledge and the future of wetlands

The theme of World Wetlands Day 2026 highlights the importance of traditional knowledge as a key element in ecosystem conservation. Knowledge passed down through generations—linked to natural cycles, resource management and respect for environmental balance—has enabled communities to coexist sustainably with wetland environments.

Today, in the face of increasing pressures from climate change, urbanisation and biodiversity loss, integrating scientific knowledge with local and traditional knowledge has become an essential condition for the conservation and restoration of wetlands.

World Wetlands Day Sardinia 2026: an open call to territories

Within this framework, MEDSEA promotes World Wetlands Day Sardinia 2026 as a participatory pathway, inviting institutions, associations, cultural operators, businesses, schools and citizens to propose initiatives that highlight the connection between wetlands and cultural heritage.

Guided tours, educational workshops, artistic activities, food and wine experiences, public meetings and storytelling of local traditions: every proposal can contribute to building a shared and widespread calendar, capable of reflecting the richness and diversity of Sardinia’s wetlands.

How to participate

You can submit one or more initiatives, preferably by 13 January 2026, by sending your proposal to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., including:

• date, location and time
• title and short description
• organising bodies and any partners
• target audience (“Ideal for”)
• any participation costs
• contact details

Selected initiatives will be included in the official World Wetlands Day Sardinia 2026 calendar and promoted through MEDSEA’s channels, social media and the press.

Need inspiration? Take a look at last year’s calendar for ideas and examples.

An opportunity to build awareness and community

In Sardinia, wetlands play a central role: they are not only ecosystems of extraordinary importance for biodiversity and climate adaptation, but also living cultural landscapes, shaped over time by the interaction between nature and people.

From coastal lagoons to inland wetlands, these environments have supported traditional practices, economic activities and local knowledge systems that are integral to the island’s identity. Wetlands are custodians of deeply rooted knowledge, including the art of lagoon fishing, based on an intimate understanding of natural cycles and waters, from which iconic products such as bottarga originate—symbols of an ancient balance between human work and the environment.

Alongside fishing, the art of weaving survives, linked to the use of reeds, rushes and wetland plants to create traditional artefacts, tools and coverings—an expression of functional and sustainable craftsmanship. Coastal and lagoon watchtowers, together with vernacular architectures adapted to wet environments, reflect a construction knowledge that dialogues with water, wind and landscape.

These material and immaterial practices represent a living cultural heritage, passed down through generations and still central to the identity and care of Sardinia’s wetlands. Celebrating wetlands in Sardinia means recognising this deep connection and making visible the role of the communities that continue to protect and sustain them.