[2026] National Wetlands Inventories Programme Module 3: Long-term Ecological Knowledge; Managing and Updating NWI

Between 2024 and 2027, a three-year programme of annual in-person training courses on the National Wetland Inventories are being delivered. This programme aligns closely with the ongoing development of additional guidance on National Wetland Inventories.

Each programme consists of three core modules:

• Module 1: Introduction to national wetland inventories
• Module 2: Earth observation techniques and knowledge: best practices to support national wetland inventories
• Module 3: Long-term ecological knowledge: managing and updating national wetland inventories

English-language courses are conducted in the Republic of Korea in partnership with the Convention on Wetlands Secretariat,United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD), with additional support from the South Korean National Institute of Ecology. Module 1 was held in 2024, with Module 2 in 2025 and Module 3 in 2026.

Online training and guidance materials

An online course based on the in-person training is available through the InforMEA platform, allowing Contracting Parties to access and build upon the course content. Additional online training and guidance materials drawn from all three modules are also available on the Convention website to ensure open access for all Parties, including guidance for implementing a structured NWI process. Specific NWI webinars will also be organized to share experience and new guidance.

Previous publications of the Convention on the topic include Handbook 15 on wetland inventory, Technical Report 10 on the use of Earth observation for NWIs, and the 2020 new toolkit for NWIs.