Healthy Waterways – protecting a wetland
https://archive.gw.govt.nz/healthy-waterways-protecting-a-wetland
View Michael Birch’s story of protecting the waterway on his farm, and how he made use of advice and financial support from Greater Wellington:
Got a wetland on your land? We can help protect it.
A natural depression wetland in our region, filled with rushes, herbs, and sedges (wet paddock)
However, over 90% of our original wetlands have been lost – drained for agricultural or urban use.
In the Wellington region only 2.3% of the original extent of wetlands remain.
Their role as a filter means they absorb nutrients and trap sediment that would otherwise go into our freshwater ecosystem.
Wetlands have slow water flows during high rainfall and slowly release water in dry periods.
Many animals that can only live in wetlands – birds, fish, insects, lizards – are now endangered and need wetlands to survive. This includes plants too. Wetlands also provide a home for a large number of migratory birds.
Access support to protect a wetland on your property.
Greater Wellington Regional Council is committed to working with landowners through its support programmes to improve the health of our waterways and wetlands across the region. To help us to provide a quality service to landowners, we assess and record our level of engagement with landowners regularly during the support process. This information will be held securely and used only by GWRC staff for the stated purpose.