What is a RAMSAR site?

RAMSAR sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the RAMSAR Convention.

Designation of RAMSAR sites is co-ordinated by Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

In the UK, the first RAMSAR sites were designated in 1976. Since then, many more have been designated. Compared to many countries, the UK has a relatively large number of RAMSAR sites, but they tend to be smaller in size than many countries.

RAMSAR sites in Dorset

Dorset Council currently manages the RAMSAR site Parley Common.