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class="content__text" Today is World Wetlands Day Wetland restoration is a critical part in addressing the biodiversity and climate crises and it's sad to say that globally, wetland biodiversity is under significant threat of irreversible loss and decline. When you think of wetlands it can be difficult to make a connection with these wet, boggy and sometimes swampy areas, as having a positive impact on climate change, especially when we see and experience events such as the flooding and damage happening in the northern parts of the country. It's easy to assume that wetlands are adding to the issue. But the facts are that wetlands act like the kidneys of the earth, cleaning the water that flows into them. They trap sediment and soils, filter out nutrients and remove contaminants. In doing so, they can reduce flooding and protect coastal land from storm surges and they also return nitrogen to the atmosphere. Here in Aotearoa, we have lost extensive areas of wetlands, which include peatlands that are rich in carbon and support species found nowhere else on earth, such as the swamp helmet orchid and black mudfish. Our work on wetlands includes actively restoring some of our ecologically and culturally significant wetlands, as part of our Arawai Kākāriki wetland restoration programme. But more needs to be done, including more collaboration with industry, as part of Treaty partner-led projects, and with local community. Find out more about the Arawai Kākāriki wetland restoration programme here: https://bit.ly/3l2n9Fh Find out more about wetlands in Aotearoa here: https://bit.ly/39DBsbi 📷: Pekapeka wetlands Image: Shellie Evans 📷: Swamp helment orchid: George Novak

February 06, 2023