Wānaka event to mark World Wetlands Day

Bullock Creek Hatchery Spring will be the focus of a family event to celebrate World Wetlands Day, in Wānaka on Sunday, February 2.

The 2-hectare urban wetland is the site of a former Otago Fish & Game hatchery and an ongoing restoration project with Friends of Bullock Creek and the Department of Corrections.

Fish & Game Central Otago operations manager Jamie Ward said the wetland was a natural gem in the community and its pristine spring-fed creek provided important spawning habitat for fish.

“As our towns and cities grow and expand, it is increasingly important to safeguard pockets of nature like Bullock Creek,” Mr Ward said.

Mr Ward said the QEII-covenanted wetland was thriving thanks to the unwavering dedication and fundraising by Friends of Bullock Creek volunteers and was supported by licence fees from anglers and hunters.

“Fish & Game actively manages and monitors wetlands and waterways, including native and introduced species, to ensure their health and sustainability.”

At the Wānaka event, visitors will have the chance to see how Fish & Game manages and monitors species and habitat, and can practise casting in a fishing game. 

Friends of Bullock Creek will highlight their ongoing restoration work planting natives and removing weeds through almost 8000 volunteer hours.

Friends of Bullock Creek trustee Andy Oxley said: “Grab the kids, bring your picnic and a rug and enjoy a free barbecue. There will be lots to see and do on the day.

"Since FOBC initiated the restoration project at the Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs site in 2016, we have fundraised well over $200,000 to achieve the transformation of the wetland site you can see today.   

“This work and the ongoing restoration project couldn't have been achieved without our wonderful volunteers and generous financial support from private and commercial donors and charitable funders like Central Lakes Trust, Otago Regional Council, Lions Foundation, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Otago Regional Council, Patagonia, Otago Catchment Community Inc., Rotary, Red Bridge Trust, and Otago Community Trust.” 

Other organisations on display will include Wai Wānaka, Te Kakano, Wānaka Backyard Trapping, Tiaki Bees, Otago Regional Council, Otago Catchment Community and Queen Elizabeth II National Trust.

Visitors can learn about the invertebrates that live in Bullock Creek, and the native plants being restored to the wetlands. 

There will be insights into the world of bees, and how trapping programmes protect native birds and lizards.

They can also chat with representatives from the QEII National Trust and Otago Catchment Community.

Mr Ward said only 9 per cent of New Zealand’s original wetlands still existed.

“As a not-for-profit organisation, we’re advocating for the restoration and protection of the region’s freshwater ecosystems with evidence-based, sustainable management, guided by direct democratic input from our community of anglers and hunters.

“It’s important to educate and support communities, connecting wetland protection with hunting and fishing to preserve these resources for future generations.”

Main image (Supplied / DoC): Bullock Creek Hatchery will be the site of an event to celebrate World Wetlands Day.