Wetland Protection – Environment court
The protection of the West Coast wetlands has proved to be a long struggle. Forest and Bird have been battling for the protection of these wetlands for nine years. The final appeal was in October and we are still waiting for the outcome.
The West Coast has the most intact wetlands in New Zealand and yet the importance of these wetlands was ignored by the council. The low land coastal wetlands are largely threatened by increase of dairy farming and mining.Unfortunately, the West Coast Regional Council’s Land and River bed management plan did little to protect these wetlands of national significance.
The interim and high court decisions have produced wins for us so far and we are very confident the remaining lowland wetlands on the West Coast will become better protected. This case is being keenly watched around the country as it will set a precedent for other councils and appeals.
Little Blue Penguin Habitat restoration
The West Coast branch works closely with the West Coast Little Blue Penguin trust to restore little blue penguin habitats on North Hokitika beach – a job that involves planting native vegetation, clearing invasive weeds and creating paths for pedestrians so they avoid nesting sites.
In July the penguins arrive to start nesting. Each year, penguin counts are completed, in which penguin footprints and nesting areas are counted to help determine population numbers.
