In 1971, with an increasing global focus on protecting the environment, a treaty was signed at the Ramsar Convention in Iran to highlight the significance of wetlands and strive toward conservation. … In California alone, the state has lost an estimated 90% of its wetlands, according to the California Water Quality Monitoring Council. … Watsonville, having some of the largest freshwater wetlands on the Central Coast, has naturally been taking part in World Wetlands Day for 17 years. It will do so again Feb. 7 with a cleanup and planting at Struve Slough. Volunteers will be removing invasive plants and installing native species, picking up litter and learning about the local wetlands.

Other wetlands news:

• Ventura County Star (Camarillo, Calif.): Naval Base Ventura County gets national conservation award. Here’s why