"Wetland care" management techniques include the following:

• Maintaining water levels at a fairly constant level, although minor fluctuations are unavoidable and may be helpful to water flow and wading birds by exposing food sources. Drainage of wetlands should not be undertaken.
• Sustaining water quality by restricting nutrient and sediment inputs from activities on adjacent land.
• Controlling noxious weeds that aggressively compete with the wetland’s natural plant communities.
• Preventing vehicles from entering the wetland margins to foster safer bird nesting and brood-rearing.
• Reinstating riparian vegetation to the margins of our wetlands to improve water quality and habitat.
• Ongoing pest control will enhance the bird life in your wetland and help to protect young plantings. For practical advice on the best control methods, visit our pest and weeds pages.

Native plants, raised from local seed sources, should be the planters’ first choice. Local plants generally perform better than plants outside the area and also help to retain each area's unique flora.


Wetland management in Canterbury is discussed in Chapter 7 of the Natural Resources Plan.

We want to help you!

Contact our Resource Management Coordination team for more information, advice and help with managing your wetland.