It is one of eight Ramsar wetlands in the country and one of the official visiting sites for the 10th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties that was held in Changwon, Korea in October, 2008.

A growing eco-tourism sector has developed in the country, although many local residents remain hostile to the idea of protected land.

Upo provides habitat to large numbers of migrant birds, including other rare species such as the white-naped crane and taiga bean goose.

The wetland has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports significant populations of whooper swans, bean geese, falcated ducks, mallards, northern pintails, white-naped cranes and oriental storks.

[2] Established to facilitate the growing eco-tourism industry in South Korea, the center provides visitors with the opportunity to learn the importance of biodiversity and ecological preservation.

During the monsoon months of July and August, the wetlands act like a sponge to soak up the water and prevent flood damage to the surrounding agricultural areas.

By teaching the public preservation and ecological sustainability, Upo Wetland directs the visitor's attention to developmental cooperation with the local community.