Chance to celebrate World Wetlands Day

2 February 2011

A fun family day out is planned to celebrate World Wetlands Day this Sunday (February 12).

Waipa District Council, in conjunction with the National Wetland Trust, has organised a number of events at Lake Ngaroto from 9am to 3pm.

Events will include a guided walk around the lake, a visit to the Swamp Pa sites, a teach a kid to fish session and several displays.

Community facilities manager Tony Roxburgh said the international theme for World Wetlands Day is Wetlands and Tourism - a great experience.

Our event is aimed at all age and interest groups to increase public knowledge and appreciation of wetlands so that people understand how they work and why it is important to protect and restore them, he said.

It was also an opportunity to showcase Lake Ngaroto and provide an opportunity for other groups to demonstrate what they had to offer and their role in conserving wetlands.

Our event aligns with our strategy to preserve, enhance and showcase the unique environmental and cultural heritage and history of our district, said Mr Roxburgh.

We encourage people to come and celebrate the wetlands we have in our very own backyard, he said.

World Wetlands Day marks the 1971 signing of the International Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, known as Ramsar sites.

Three of New Zealand's six Ramsar sites are located in the Waikato - Whangamarino Wetland, Kopuatai Peat Dome and the Firth of Thames.