By Domingo Dargbeh
On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joined the global community and commemorated this year’s World Wetlands Day.
The event was hosted under the international theme: “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage.”
The observance highlighted the crucial role wetlands play in sustaining ecosystems, livelihoods, and cultural traditions worldwide.
At the national level, EPA adopted a theme that speaks directly to identify and collective responsibility of the country: “Protecting Wetlands, Conserving Cultural Heritage.” The theme underscored the need for citizens and institutions to safeguard wetlands as both environmental assets and cultural legacies.
EPA Executive Director, Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, underscored the importance of wetlands to the environment and socio-cultural survival, noting that their value is often underestimated.
Yarkpawolo spoke of wetlands importance, which he said, are not waste lands; they are among the most productive ecosystems on earth.
He recalled how the country is blessed with extraordinary natural endowments that, if protected, can secure sustainable development for future generations.
Yarkpawolo said, a significant portion of land area is covered by wetlands, including rivers, swamps, lagoons, and coastal mangrove systems.
“Mangroves, in particular, play a critical role in climate action and are considered among the most powerful nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation.”
“The coastal erosion, flooding, and sea-level rise are growing threats. Mangroves are natural infrastructure that protect lives. Beyond ecological value, wetlands are central to cultural heritage.”
However, he said wetlands are under increasing pressure from sand mining, illegal land reclamation, mangrove cutting, and rapid urban expansion. These activities are degrading wetlands nationwide, resulting in increased flooding during the rainy season, declining livelihoods, and weakened resilience to climate change.
“I am pleased to inform the public that the EPA has been taking action by breaking down illegal structures and bringing violators into compliance, but the situation is overwhelming.” He has meanwhile, called for stronger collaboration to address the threats.
Dr. Yarkpawolo further urged Liberians to take collective responsibility, stating: “The wetlands we protect today will protect Liberia tomorrow. Let us choose stewardship over destruction, sustainability over short-term gains, and hope over neglect. Together, we can conserve wetlands, protect cultural heritage, and build a resilient Liberia for generations yet unborn.”
The official World Wetlands Day program, was held on at the Mesurado Wetlands Ramsar Site in Paynesville City.
It brought together stakeholders from government agencies, international partners, civil society organizations, and traditional institutions, who, in separate remarks, pledged their support to the EPA in conserving wetlands.