Protecting our wetlands

The Amberley wetland on Stanton Road received a great dose of attention and care on Mother’s Day.

The theme of the morning was grey willow control, and the work was undertaken by Hurunui Weedbusters and the Amberley Environmental Restoration Group (AERG), with the support from Hurunui District Council and Hurunui Biodiversity Trust.

Jo Hulsman from AERG said the day dawned bright and chipper for the nearly 20 volunteers who got stuck into the grey willow saplings, which are rapidly taking over a section of the Amberley Wetland on Stanton Road.

More than 650 saplings were collected, covering one hectare in just two hours and making up a full trailer load.

AERG has begun trapping pests around the boundary of the wetland, and has just received funding from Environment Canterbury for the development of a restoration plan.