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Last modified: 07 Feb 2023 3:44pm

Community planting

Restoring and planning the creation of new wetlands, and assessing and protecting more significant biodiversity sites were among the Council's work to enhance native flora and fauna this year.

The Council’s biodiversity work programme has been making good progress in the past 12 months, and Senior Biodiversity Officer Andy Spanton says the efforts will have long-term benefits.

A person planting a tree in a patch of muddy ground“Right across Canterbury, there’s been a proactive focus on managing and protecting our indigenous biodiversity, and we’re really proud to be partnering with iwi, our neighbouring councils, landowners and our community to make a difference.”

Animal pest control and weed management are a key focus for the Tarerekautuku Yarrs Lagoon restoration project, near Lincoln. The
Council received almost $800,000 from the Government’s Freshwater Improvement Fund last December to restore the significant wetland, and restoration activities began in autumn 2022.

After purchasing land above Coes Ford in 2021, the Council has been working closely with manawhenua, landowners and Environment Canterbury to design a water cleaning wetland and recreation space that may connect Coes and Chamberlains Fords. These designs are being finalised, and a Matauranga Maori cultural assessment will be carried out.

Ongoing biodiversity assessments have seen four more sites added to Council’s list of Significant Natural Areas in 2022. There are now 73 Significant Natural Areas. Landowners, managers and community groups have been helped to protect and restore some of these sites through the Council's Significant Natural Environment Fund.

The team also work with community groups and schools on plantings and programmes to increase biodiversity.

“The progress we’ve made to preserve and enhance biodiversity values this year has been promising,” Andy says.

Find more information on biodiversity initiatives in Selwyn .