January 27, 2010

 MEDIA STATEMENT

The Wonders of Wainono Wetlands

To celebrate World Wetlands Day in this International Year of Biodiversity, local people will have the chance to find out more about the Wainono lagoon near Waimate - a treasure on their doorstep. The event will be led by Environment Canterbury’s Resource Care team working with Fish & Game, the Department of Conservation and local community groups such as the Waihao Wainono Water Users Society.

The event is being held on Saturday January 30, from 10am to 1.30pm. Waimate Mayor John Coles will welcome visitors to the event at the end of Wainono Lake Road at 10am. There will be plenty of information and hands-on activities to cater for a range of interests through from bird watching to fly/spin casting, harekeke weaving to a duck-calling competition judged by Waimate Cr Jim Rayner.

There will be display material on rare and endangered birds and a talk about the history of the lagoon, featuring local tangata whenua’s long association with it as an important source of food and raw materials. Fish tanks will display the results of early morning electro-fishing – an impressive 80-year-old eel/tuna was caught this way recently. The whole celebration will be rounded off by a free barbecue lunch.

Environment Canterbury biodiversity portfolio chair Cr Jane Demeter welcomes this event, the first of a number of Environment Canterbury biodiversity initiatives connected to the International Year of Biodiversity.

“Wetlands and saltmarsh habitats like Wainono support an abundance of birds, fish, invertebrates and plants specially adapted to their environment but they are also highly vulnerable to climate variability and to human influence. One of our aims through the Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy is to enhance public awareness and understanding of the diversity of native species and to encourage communities to protect them,” says Cr Demeter.

“For this event, we are lucky enough to have enlisted the help of our key biodiversity partners but in particular, the involvement of the Waihao Wainono Water Users Society shows that this community is proactive and on the front foot for biodiversity,” she says.

“Since 1999 the local runanga, farmers and residents that form the core of this group have been committed and effective in protecting the Wainono catchment for the wildlife and for recreational users. Most recently they have secured funding for fencing part of the lagoon and for willow control – both key steps in wetland restoration.”

If you are interested in learning more about how you can enhance biodiversity in your local area please contact Environment Canterbury on 0800 EC INFO or visit www.canterburybiodiversity.org.nz

ends

© Scoop Media