The Department of Conservation, in conjunction with the Queenstown Lakes District Council and a group of volunteers, marked World Wetland Day with a clean-up campaign at the Gorge Road wetland today (Thursday).

"Although the day is internationally recognised on February 2, we were delighted at DOC's suggestion that we should formally mark this day with a wetland project, which was able to be coordinated today," QLDC parks director Paul Wilson said.

"Wetlands are a key part of our environment and biodiversity.  It is a really positive step to see a diverse group of people in the community giving their time to raise recognition of wetlands so we don't loose them," DOC area manager Greg Lind said.

Under DOC supervision a team of volunteers planned to work the entire day at the Council's Queenstown wetland to eradicate a plague of self seeding willow.

"Certainly we are very grateful to everyone involved. Although the impact on today's project won't be seen until the trees actually start to die off in the winter, the end result will vastly improve the wetland," Mr Wilson said.

The project received a special visit today from DOC director general Hugh Logan.

To further mark the day the Council and the Department both launched wetland publications.

The new DOC brochure highlighted the two wetland walks located at the head of Lake Wakatipu and available from DOC visitor centres.

"The Council's new Guide to Wetlands brochure is a must have for anyone with wetland areas on their property or planning to establish wetland areas, beginning with ponds," Mr Wilson said.

The guide, prepared by Queenstown-based ecologist Dawn Palmer and co-funded by the Otago Regional Council, also featured a list of recommended plants and the type of birds that could be attracted.  Guides can be obtained from the Council from next week and will be available on the Council website www.qldc.govt.nz.

Both Mr Wilson and Mr Lind acknowledged the contribution of the volunteers, representing Eco-Action, Nomad Safaris, nzski.com and Nature Solutions.

Fact File

Wetlands, including rivers and lakes, are now less than 2 percent of the total New Zealand land area.
Between 1954 and 1976, 12,000 hectares of wetlands were being lost each year. A total of 263,999 hectares. (Wildlife Service surveys).
New Zealand?s original freshwater wetlands have declined from 672,000 ha to 100,000 hectares in the mid 1970s (Landcare Research.)
There has been further destruction of wetlands since the 1970s. For example, in Northland between 1978 and 1983 a further 15 percent or (3,175) ha were drained (State of the Environment report).
Until the mid 1980s farmers were encouraged to drain wetlands by Government subsidies.
It is estimated that there are less than 10 percent of wetlands left.
According to the United Nations last century 50% of the world's remaining wetlands were destroyed. Other wetlands have been significantly modified to fragment and alter water flow in 60% of the world?s largest rivers, compromising many valuable ecosystem functions.

ENDS

For further information please contact Paul Wilson 03 441 0499 or Greg Lind 03 442 7933.

By: Tamah