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Looking after the land is second nature to Hurunui farmers. HWP Biodiversity is researching ways to reduce the impact of irrigation through careful water storage and sensitive farm management practices. We are also sponsoring research initiatives in association with the University of Canterbury's Biological Sciences department. This is funded by the Canterbury V5 Award that HWP was presented with last year. The two main projects for 2011 are:
- An inventory of wetlands in HWP's proposed irrigation area
- A full ecosystem study into the water quality of the Hurunui River, starting with nutrients and how they affect aquatic life
What's happened with the wetlands survey?
The University of Canterbury has completed its survey of shareholders interested in being involved in HWP's wetlands initiative. An excellent 60-page document has been produced identifying 52 wetlands across an area of just over 60ha. Those who took part received letters in August 2011 detailing what was surveyed on their properties. All information gained through the survey remains confidential within HWP.
If your property hasn't been assessed for wetlands and you would like to support our research, please get in touch. Three quarters of HWP's proposed irrigation area has now been surveyed with landowner support. The more landowners we have on board, the more successful this initiative will be.
For further information on managing wetlands, including downloadable phamplets on restoration, look at Environment Canterbury's website. You can also find information on where to apply for funding to support biodiversity-related projects. A brochure on Environment Canterbury's Living Streams Programme, which is designed to improve practices which have an impact on water quality and the health of waterways, can be downloaded here - Living-Streams-Handbook.pdf (1.54MB). For further information on constructed wetlands have a look at NIWA's guidelines.
What's next?
HWP Biodiversity is now considering riparian strips within the district. In the future we will contact landowners whose properties border streams and rivers. We are also looking for new ways to improve the biodiversity of the district. If you have any ideas for projects that you think could help the biodiversity in your area, please let us know. We are keen to help in any way that we can.
In the future?
Our wetlands update has prompted a few questions on how wetlands will be managed in Canterbury in the future. HWP is guided by chapter 7 of Environment Canterbury’s Natural Resources Regional Plan. The Hurunui-Waiau Zone Committee also has its own environmental targets for the district which include ecologically-viable wetlands and HWP is keen to be part of the solution. More information on the Zone Committee's plans can be found on the CWMS website.
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