The Central West Catchment Management Authority will launch their wetlands incentive with an event near Narromine, on Friday February 1.

The wetland on Backwater Cowal (pictured) on Robert Webb’s property "Dappo" is the location.

For years unrecognisable as a wetland, it was filled again by Christmas rain.

Previous land uses altered the bank structure and caused the wetland to drain.

World Wetlands Day is Saturday February 2 and the theme of this year’s celebration is Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People.

A number of programs around Australia are helping rehabilitate wetlands, including Wetlands on Farms, an initiative of the NSW Department of Primary Industries to encourage landholders to look after the wetlands on their properties.

Wetlandcare Australia will hold a month long photographic and art competition, and an exhibition, from Friday February 2, at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery in Ballina.

Contact Jess Brown, (02) 6881 3412 or http://www.cw.cma.nsw.gov.au about the Narromine event; Linda Beaumont, Ballina, (02) 6681 6169.