The Living Murray’s first step focuses on improving the environment at six ‘Icon Sites’ along the River.
The Living Murray Icon Sites were chosen for their high ecological value – most are listed as internationally significant wetlands under the Ramsar convention – and also their cultural significance to Indigenous people and the broader community. They are:
Through The Living Murray, action is underway to provide water to these sites and support a natural environment unique to the Australian landscape.
Ecological objectives have been developed aimed at retaining, restoring or improving the sites' ecosystems, habitats, and species of flora and fauna. For Icon Site Management Plans, visit the publications page. The location of the six Icon Sites are highlighed on the map below: 1. Barmah–Millewa Forest 2. Gunbower–Koondrook–Perricoota Forest
3. Hattah Lakes 4. Chowilla Floodplain & Lindsay–Wallpolla Islands
5. Lower Lakes, Coorong and Murray Mouth 6. River Murray Channel
 The Ramsar Convention
The Convention on Wetlands is a global treaty adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 (which is why it is also called the Ramsar Convention). This treaty supports international cooperation for ‘the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources’ and is the only global treaty that deals with a particular ecosystem (wetlands). Aside from the River Murray Channel, all of The Living Murray’s icon sites are listed as, or are part of, Wetlands of International Significance under the Ramsar Convention.
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