Charlesworth Wetland Reserve Maintenance Team
Region: Canterbury
Award Category: Canterbury
Year: 2014
Community Ngo group The Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust was formed in 2002. This Trust is a strong advocate for improvements of the ecological values on the margins of the estuary.
The vision of the Trust is Communities working together for Clean Water - Open Space - Safe Recreation and Healthy Ecosystems that we can all enjoy and respect.
The trust now has three areas of activity, advocacy, science (monitoring and research) and community participation. In this third area a sub group developed Charlesworth Maintenance Team, comprising an active team of volunteers who weekly assists the city council in developing their 20 hectare Charlesworth Wetland Reserve . This small team of 14 volunteer members, under the supervision of Andrew Crossland Council Park Ranger, clock up between 900 and 1100 hours each year, planting, mulching but mainly keeping the reserve weed free. The council has planted in excess of 90.000 seedlings in this reserve. The reserve having been an industrial area in the mid 1800 s then turned to partly dumping ground for bitumen and concrete and farmland and now back to wetland is an enormous task as the soil is not exactly what you expect for native tree seedlings to thrive in. The reserve has a high mortality rate due to the poor soil and harsh conditions like dry summers, frost and Earthquake damage.
To promote the wetland and educate public on the importance of wetlands, the team has sought and received support from organisations to assist and to date staff from State Insurance, Arc Innovations, Trees for Canterbury, St Andrews High School and Coca Cola Ltd as well as members from the public through advertising campaigns have ensured that every year some 5,000 new seedlings are planted. WHY Charlesworth Reserve? This tidal wetland serves as an important roosting, nesting and/or feeding area for an ever increasing number of native bird species including Pied Stilt, Siberian Godwit, Pied Oystercatcher, Paradise Shellduck, Grey Shoveller, Black Back Gulls, Grey Herons, NZ Scaup, white faced Herons, Kingfisher and Hawks. In addition to that we can now see skinks darting around due to increased vegetation. The team has also sought support from the Neighbouring Mitre10 Megastore who sponsored all materials required to assemble 6 seats which are spread in strategic places for public to rest and enjoy the scenery. In addition the team conducts regular guided walks to educate the public on the importance of this small but unique little wetland area. This dedicated team of volunteers have been involved since 2008 and have been rewarded with an increased number of Flora and Fauna as well as members of the public being able to enjoy walking, bird watching and taking photos. Future development for the reserve include fencing, educational and interpretive signage and dredging pre-existing canals allowing whitebait to return. Gaining recognition in the shape of an award would mean further promotion of the work the team does as well as rewarding the team members who have given thousands of hours of their time to turn this former neglected area back to its natural wildlife habitat.