Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council
Funding helps put wetland on the map
This year the Duntroon and District Development Association was allocated funding by the Lower Waitaki South Coastal Canterbury Water Zone Committee to support the maintenance of the Duntroon Wetland walkway.
This will ensure the walkway will remain accessible to foot traffic and wheelchairs, allowing visitors to relax away from the cyclists who traverse the wetland.
The wetland was created by the Duntroon and District Development Association, and all the work completed by volunteers, with contractors undertaking willow removal. The wetland contains a significant springhead, that is now protected and is popular with many visitors including Alps2Ocean cyclists. The funding will benefit all visitors and will also free up two volunteers to do other work in the wetlands.
Duntroon Wetlands with Mount Domett in the distance
“We’re so grateful for the support we’ve received. It has paid dividends in what we’ve been able to achieve,” Karan said.
“It’s not only about the number of people that are now able to enjoy this beautiful space, but it’s also about the wider environmental benefits for our catchment.”
Wetland regeneration supports catchment water quality
Duntroon Wetland is much more than a leisurely stroll, Karan said.
“It forms an important connection between our land and water, and it supports the plant and bird life, as well as water quality. Wetlands clean the water that flows into them by capturing contaminants like sediment and filtering out the nutrients.
“Duntroon Wetland is an asset for our village.”
The wetland walkway has been designed to be wheelchair accessible, with sections of boardwalk to enable visitors to negotiate the pathways in all weather.
“We’re very fortunate in that we’ve had a group of people who have connected with this work, including neighbouring landowners Geoff and Jan Keeling, and the Duntroon School,” Karen said.
Duntroon School and neighbouring landowners Geoff and Jan Keeling have been vital to progress on the wetland restoration
”The group have taken it on themselves to put in the time and dedication to get the wetland to where it is today, coming here on their days off for working bees,” Karan said.
“When you start a project, you wonder who is going to take it on and worry that enthusiasm will drop off. It’s so inspiring and reassuring to see new people come in and give a hand and our work in this space continues to build. It’s exciting what we’ve been able to achieve here for our small community.”
Funding enables community groups to take action
This project was supported through the Lower Waitaki South Coastal Canterbury Zone Committee’s Action Plan funding for 2024.
Each of the region’s water zone committees has an action plan which outlines how they will work with the community to help improve the environment and meet Canterbury Water Management Strategy objectives.
Environment Canterbury © 2024
Retrieved: 3:05pm, Tue 19 Nov 2024
ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/2024/duntroon-turns-the-dial-on-water-quality-with-destination-wetland/
