Wetlands Days in Corsica (Les Journées Mondiales des Zones Humides) 2026

Wetlands Days in Corsica 2026, known in French as Les Journées Mondiales des Zones Humides (JMZH), is the perfect way to discover Corsica’s lagoons, marshes, ponds, and river mouths through guided walks, talks, workshops, and family activities. The national JMZH coordination site confirms that JMZH 2026 runs from 31 January to 1 March 2026, and the 2026 theme is “Zones humides et savoirs traditionnels : célébrer l’héritage culturel”. In other words, this isn’t only about biodiversity. It’s also about how island communities have lived with wetlands for generations, from fishing and grazing traditions to landscape knowledge that still matters today.​

Confirmed 2026 dates and theme

Corsica’s Wetlands Days sit inside a France-wide calendar, so the official dates are set at national level. The JMZH 2026 call for participation confirms:

• Official period: 31 January to 1 March 2026.​
• Theme (2026): “Zones humides et savoirs traditionnels : célébrer l’héritage culturel”.​
• The same national guidance explains that the theme is optional, and activities only need to meet two criteria to be labeled JMZH:
• They must be about wetlands.
• They must take place during the official period.​

For Corsica travelers, this is useful because it means you can plan a trip anywhere between early February and late February and still find wetland activities being offered around the island.

What “Wetlands Days” looks like on the island

JMZH is not a single festival site with one entrance gate. It is a network of many local events hosted by associations, public agencies, natural area managers, schools, and community groups. The national JMZH page explains that each February, Wetlands Day marks the anniversary of the Ramsar Convention and is used to celebrate wetlands’ importance while reminding the public of their fragility.​

Typical JMZH activities across France include:

• Nature outings and guided walks.
• Workshops, exhibitions, and school activities.
• Talks, film screenings, conferences, and community work days.​

Because Corsica has a rich mosaic of wetlands, the island’s JMZH programming usually emphasizes lagoon ecology, birdlife, and human-nature relationships that are strongly Mediterranean in character.

Corsica’s wetlands: why they’re worth visiting

Corsica’s wetlands are not just “nice scenery.” They are core ecosystems for birds, amphibians, fish nurseries, and water regulation, and they sit at the intersection of nature and island culture. The Observatoire Régional des Zones Humides de Corse explains that Corsica’s wetlands represent more than 33,000 hectares spread across the whole territory, with natural wetlands such as lagoons, temporary ponds, and lakes being a particular focus of studies and monitoring.​

That diversity is what makes Wetlands Days in Corsica so rewarding: you can explore saltwater lagoons near the coast, freshwater ponds inland, and seasonal “temporary” wetlands that appear and disappear with the Mediterranean climate cycle.

Where to experience wetlands in Corsica

Because JMZH activities are decentralized, the best approach is to choose a base and then pick activities nearby once local schedules are published on the national listing platform. The JMZH organizers confirm that activities are listed via the “J’agis pour la nature” platform, which is used to publish the national program and manage registrations where needed.​

When planning a Corsica wetlands-focused itinerary, consider the island’s wetland “hot zones”:

• Big coastal lagoons and marsh systems around the eastern coastal plain, often strong for birdwatching.
• River mouths and estuaries near coastal towns, where fresh and salt water mix and migratory birds feed.
• Temporary ponds and upland wetlands that are less famous but deeply linked to Mediterranean ecology.

Corsica’s regional wetland observatory is also a useful place to watch for locally relevant training days and technical events that sometimes open to broader audiences, even if many listings are aimed at professionals.​

What to expect in February 2026

Formats and accessibility

JMZH events are typically designed for broad public access, from families to amateur naturalists, with many free or low-cost activities. The national guidance focuses on participation and mobilization rather than ticket revenue, and it emphasizes that organizers can use the national platform to manage free sign-ups if group sizes need to be controlled.​

Pricing (what is confirmed)

There is no single ticket price for Wetlands Days in Corsica because JMZH is a decentralized label applied to many events. The national JMZH guidance provides the official dates and labeling criteria, but it does not set a universal entry fee for local activities.​

Practical expectation:

• Many walks and public events will be free, while some specialized guided activities may require registration or a small fee depending on the organizer and logistics.

Cultural angle: “traditional knowledge” in Corsica’s wetlands

The 2026 theme focuses on the cultural heritage tied to wetlands. The JMZH 2026 announcement explains that wetlands are the origin of an exceptional heritage that can only be protected by accounting for the uses and knowledge of populations who have lived in these places for generations.​

In Corsica, that theme fits naturally because island life has long blended:

• Coastal fishing and lagoon harvesting traditions.
• Grazing and small-scale agriculture on seasonal wet ground.
• Place-based knowledge about flooding, freshwater sources, and seasonal changes.

When choosing which Corsica JMZH event to attend, look for walks or talks that explicitly connect ecology to local livelihoods and history. Those are often the most memorable experiences for travelers.

Travel tips for Wetlands Days in Corsica 2026

When to go

Because the official window is 31 January to 1 March 2026, you have a wide planning range. A smart travel window is:

• Early February for strong JMZH activity density and quieter shoulder-season travel, with fewer crowds than summer.​

Where to stay

Good bases for a wetlands-focused Corsica itinerary depend on what you want to see:

• Bastia / Biguglia area: strong access to northeastern lagoons and coastal wetlands, plus an easy airport and rail connections.
• Porto-Vecchio area: good access to southeastern lagoons and beaches, with winter calm and dramatic scenery.
• Corte (central): ideal if you want to combine wetlands activities with mountain landscapes and rivers.

What to pack

• Waterproof shoes or hiking shoes with grip, especially for muddy paths.
• Binoculars if birdwatching is a goal.
• A light rain jacket and layers, since Corsica in February can be cool and changeable.

How to find the official program

The national JMZH organizer site confirms that events are listed on the J’agis pour la nature platform during the JMZH period. Check that platform in January 2026 and filter by Corsica (Corse) and by your travel dates.​

Call-to-action: plan a nature-first Corsica trip

If you want to see Corsica beyond beaches and summer crowds, plan your trip around Wetlands Days in Corsica 2026. Save the official JMZH window 31 January to 1 March 2026, follow the program listings as they appear, and choose at least one guided outing that connects wetlands ecology with island heritage and traditional knowledge. Corsica’s lagoons, temporary ponds, and coastal marshes are at their most atmospheric in winter, and a JMZH walk is one of the best ways to experience the island with local experts.​

Verified Information at glance

Event Category: Environmental awareness and nature education program (Wetlands / biodiversity)​

Event Name: Les Journées Mondiales des Zones Humides (JMZH) 2026, often referred to as Wetlands Days / World Wetlands Day programming​

Confirmed 2026 official dates (France-wide, includes Corsica): 31 January – 1 March 2026​

Confirmed 2026 theme: “Zones humides et savoirs traditionnels : célébrer l’héritage culturel”​

Confirmed participation rules (labeling criteria):

• Theme is optional; to be labeled JMZH, an activity must focus on wetlands and take place during the official period​

Confirmed program platform:

• Activities are listed and managed via “J’agis pour la nature” for national visibility and registrations​

Corsica wetlands context (verified):

• Corsica has more than 33,000 hectares of wetlands across the territory, including natural wetlands such as lagoons, temporary ponds, and lakes, which are monitored through the regional observatory​

Pricing:

• No single ticket price is set at the national level because JMZH is a labeled network of many local events; costs, if any, depend on local organizers​