World Wetlands Day set to make a splash at QVMAG

Image: St John Pound. 

What do water, mud, birds and insects all have in common? Wetlands, of course.  

It’s not often locals have the opportunity to celebrate all that vibrant wetlands as a habitat have to offer, however on 2 February Launceston locals will have the chance to do just that. 

In celebration of the Queen Victoria Museum’s feature exhibition Wetlands, visitors are encouraged to make the most of free music and arts events on offer with a trip to the Museum for World Wetlands Day 2024.  

On the day, visitors will enjoy a special, free performance within the Wetlands exhibition as composer and musician Karlin Love creates an immersive soundscape for those exploring this interactive display, alongside a free, family-fun wetlands themed craft activity.  

Designed to promote the role of wetlands in ecosystems globally, World Wetlands Day offers the opportunity for locals to reflect and learn about the thriving ecosystem of the kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary and the role it plays within Tasmania’s broader ecosystem.  

Image: QVMAG exhibition curator Gary Morgan, City of Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood and General Manager Shane Fitzgerald within the exhibitionWetlands at the Museum at Inveresk.

City of Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said it would be the perfect way to spend a free family-fun day out in Launceston during the school holidays.  

“This family-fun day out at QVMAG for World Wetlands Day really helps us to share the message of just how important wetlands as an ecosystem are to our beautiful island,” Mayor Garwood said.  

“The kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary is home to so many species of birds, insects, frogs and spiders—to name a few. And, what I find the most amazing is that our estuary is also home to species of birds that travel across the globe each year as part of their migration journeys. 

“This free day of activities is a great way to share this information and for community members of all ages to learn about the role wetlands play across the world. 

“I encourage everyone to make the most of this program, and to enjoy everything that QVMAG has to offer on the day; there’s certainly plenty of great exhibitions waiting to be explored.” 

World Wetlands Day at QVMAG, Museum at Inveresk, 2 February 2024 

For more information, or to see what’s on at QVMAG, visit www.qvmag.tas.gov.au

Issued 31 January 2024.