The largest wetland restoration project in the southern hemisphere, the rehabilitation of the Winton Wetlands in north east Victoria, has been praised by a Charles Sturt University (CSU) ecologist as an example of active community participation. Professor Max Finlayson from the Institute for Land Water and Society at CSU in Albury-Wodonga is one of the scientists addressing the Winton Wetlands Research Forum to be held on Thursday 20 and Friday 21 August. Professor Finlayson will be talking about managing and restoring wetlands of international significance. "The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands encourages management to be placed in a catchment context and for local communities to be involved in maintaining or restoring an agreed ecological character," he said. "The Winton Wetland Management Committee is a long journey to establish a world class wetland and one that they are trying to do well by getting expert advice and working with their community." Professor Finlayson is lending his expertise as Chairman of the Environment Strategic Advisory Panel for the Winton Wetland Management Committee.