Useful Links

Here are some useful wetland sites.

International Organisations

International Organisations/Agencies

• The RAMSAR Convention Bureau is the organisation responsible for the International Convention on Wetlands, signed in the Iranian City of Ramsar in 1971. It has information about World Wetlands Day, wetlands of international significance, and international wetland issues. It also has a page on wetland centres around the world.

• Wetland Link International (WLI) is a global network for wetland centres delivering education, communication and participation work.  WLI provides support through sharing best practice, resources and up-to-date information via the website and regular updates.  It is free to join to any wetland centre whether big or small.

• Wetlands International is a leading global non-profit organisation dedicated solely to the crucial work of wetland conservation and sustainable management.

• The International Chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists produces the International Column in the SWS Bulletin, organizes symposia on international topics for annual SWS meetings, and strives to strengthen ties between SWS and other international wetland organizations. It has a number of links to other international wetland web sites.

• For information on peat bogs and peat lands, visit the International Peat Society website.

NZ Organisations/Agencies

• The Department of Conservation has information on New Zealand wetlands of international significance and the New Zealand Wetland Conservation Awards.  View the DOC website for information on freshwater species. 

• Fish and Game New Zealand has statutory responsibility for managing game birds and freshwater sports fishing. 

• Many regional and city councils have information on managing and restoring wetlands and streamsides, with information specific to their area, including Waikato Regional Council, Auckland Regional Council, Christchurch City Council, Greater Wellington, Environment Bay of Plenty and Environment Southland. Contact your own council for local information.

• Landcare Research and NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research) are leading science and resarch agencies for wetlands in New Zealand.

• The New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society (formerly Limnological Society) and the New Zealand Hydrological Society are science-focussed organisations that publish research and organise conferences.

• The Arawai Kakariki wetland restoration programme aims to enhance the ecological restoration of two of New Zealand’s six RAMSAR wetlands, and the Ashburton Lakes, making use of strong community involvement and promoting research into wetland restoration techniques.

• The Manawatu Estuary Trust aims to sustainably manage, and encourage visitors and researchers to visit, our 6th RAMSAR site.

• The Miranda Shorebird Centre is located on the shores of the Firth of Thames, one of New Zealand's six RAMSAR wetlands. The Hauraki Gulf Forum is a key player in managing the health of the Firth and greater Hauraki Gulf.

• The QEII National Trust helps landowners protect, in perpetuity, significant natural features such as wetlands on their land through open space covenants, while the NZ Landcare Trust assists landowners and communities with wetland restoration projects and sustainable land management.

• LERNZ (Lake Ecosystem Restoration New Zealand) has information on lake ecology and research programmes in New Zealand.

Plants and animals

• NIWA has a series of aquatic plant, fish and invertebrate identification guides and hosts New Zealand's freshwater fish database

• The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network has photos and descriptions of New Zealands native and introduced plants.

• Struggling to identify that grass? Landcare Research has an easy-to-use key for grasses.

• The New Zealand Freshwater Fish Society web page has lots of information on freshwater fish and other native aquatic fauna.

• See the NZ Landcare Trust's Hooked on Native Fish factsheet series.
  

• New Zealand Birds has a wealth of information on birds in NZ and Te Ara -The New Zealand Encyclopedia - has descriptions of wetland types and their inhabitants, including wading birds.

• If you are interested in learning more about one of our rare and endangered wetland birds try the New Zealand brown teal recovery group website.

• Weedbusters website has a wealth of information about weeds and how to control them.

• The Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) aims to increase awareness about invasive alien species that threaten native biodiversity and to facilitate effective prevention and management activities. The site contains descriptions and control methods for invasive plants and animals. 
 

Education resources

• Wet feet - a curriculum-linked teaching resource for fresh water, wetlands, dune lakes, streams and rivers.

• Waihola Waipori Wetlands - an environmental education resource kit for use in the Sinclair Wetlands (Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau)

• Marine Watch Estuary Survey - develops knowledge about the marine environment through observation, experience, surveying and monitoring

• Harbours, bays and estuaries teaching resource - learn about cockles, snapper and whitebait (galaxiids), some of the fascinating fish and shellfish that depend on New Zealand’s estuaries
  

• River life: braided rivers in the MacKenzie Basin teaching resource - explore the ecology of braided rivers in the Mackenzie Basin.

• Up the creek teaching resource - join Dion, Rick, and Ani on a trip up the creek to learn how fresh water supports life.

• Whitebait Connection - an action-based educational resource.

• Wetlands for Education in the West Coast Tai Poutini Coservancy -students can discover the different types of wetlands including bogs, pakihis, swamps, lakes, rivers, lagoons and estuaries. It is not site specific but focuses on West Coast wetlands

• Otauria Wetland (3.7 mb), Hannah’s Bay, Rotorua - learning IN the wetland, ABOUT the wetland and taking action

• Meet the Locals videos - series of short video clips on native species, many related to wetlands

• Wonderful Wild Wetlands - interactive educational game by Environment Canterbury