Forest & Bird Talk - Para Wetland Restoration Project

The Para Wetland restoration project is managed and led by Fish and Game NZ. The New Zealand Gamebird Habitat Trust is a major sponsor and considers it one of their flagship wetland projects. Various other community focused organisations and individuals, including Forest and Bird have contributed to the project. Para Wetland is the largest remaining lowland freshwater wetland in the Marlborough region. It covers an area of one hundred and twenty hectares.

The talk will be all about the what, where, why, when, who and how of the restoration project. The various challenges of working in this unique landscape whilst trying to transform the Para from a nonproductive willow infested wasteland into a better functioning wetland with enhanced habitat values will be outlined. A focus will be on weed control particularly the various techniques used to control willows. The history of Para Wetland and the project will be discussed along with the interesting aspects of its hydrology regime and the flora and fauna that inhabit it. An update will be provided on where the project is currently at and what the future holds.