The White-winged Flufftail (Sarothrura ayresi) is a Critically Endangered bird endemic to Africa. It is considered one of the rarest and most threatened waterbirds on the continent. Ethiopia and, more recently, South Africa are the only two countries where White-winged Flufftail are known to breed. The species is a wetland specialist preferring healthy sedge habitat. Populations and distributions have likely decreased over the years due to wetland destruction and degradation caused by various anthropogenic activities. In fact, the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) list the White-winged Flufftail as needing the highest level of protection. BirdLife South Africa uses the plight of the White-winged Flufftail to garner support for the conservation of wetlands. BirdLife South Africa's Wetland Conservation Project is implementing initiatives at a local scale through applied research and adaptive learning. The main objectives of the project are to: (1) reduce uncertainty about White-winged Flufftail biology to better inform conservation efforts; (2) manage, rehabilitate, protect, and steward wetlands on private and public land; and (3) raise awareness about water issues across socio-economic classes. By protecting and promoting healthy wetlands for White-winged Flufftail, intact habitat is preserved for other wildlife as well as the ecosystem services that people derive from wetlands.