Help restore native biodiversity in the Sanctuary. Join the Forest and Bird North Canterbury branch and Environment Canterbury rangers to plant native trees to help restore this wetland. The provision of trees and plants help to provide a habitat and food for native birds, lizards and insects.
The Sanctuary Wetland is the largest and broadest remaining lowland freshwater complex of floodplain, backswamp, swamp forest and spring-fed stream on the Lower Waimakariri River. Due to its regional significance, it has been identified as a priority area for wetland enhancement within the Lower Waimakariri Regional Park. More than 40 native plant species have been observed here along with healthy populations of various native birds. A significant portion of the site represent precursors of kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides) forest of which the only remaining example on the Canterbury Plains is found at Riccarton Bush. Restoration of a kahikatea swamp forest is an important part of the overall landscape management for sustaining and enhancing this ecosystem across the north Canterbury Plains.
Parking/meeting point marked on map near Bailes Island carpark (accessed by the main entrance to the Sanctuary at the end of Coutts Island Rd in Belfast.)
- Register at 9.15 am
- 10-minute walk to the planting site
- Planting 10-12 noon
- Cuppa and baking afterward.