CMA Incentive Program
Wetland Restoration Sites - Nomination Form
Background
Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, yet their extent and health continues to diminish. Around 50% of NSW wetlands have been degraded or destroyed completely in the past 200 years.
Wetlands are particularly vulnerable due to the pressures from unsustainable land use activities, and the increasing pressure of population and development along our waterways.
The benefits wetlands contribute to all of us are significant. In fact, the ecosystem services wetlands provide underpin much of our economic activity. The “free” services provided by wetlands include:
- Healthier waterways
- Flood detention basins which reduce the impacts of flooding
- Fish nursery and habitat areas
- Drought refuges for stock and wildlife
- Nutrient capture and recycling
- Filtering and capture of sediment
- Significant habitat areas for wildlife – quality of life & ecotourism contribution
- Great places to look at and visit – quality of life & ecotourism contribution
- Waterway, riparian, and habitat connections between other natural areas – quality of life & ecotourism contribution
However, these services aren’t actually free, although we usually take them for granted. Someone has to pay to keep and maintain healthy wetlands.
Improving Wetland Management
Funds to improve wetland management can become available at any time. WetlandCare Australia receives donations and sponsorships to improve wetlands, and applies for funding from regional Catchment Management Authorities (NRMs in some states), Natural Heritage Trust, Envirofund, Environmental Trusts, Local Government, Recreational Fishing Trusts, various philanthropic foundations, and others.
WetlandCare Australia prefers to undertake on-ground works to improve wetlands, however site assessments, developing management plans, and monitoring results are frequently required as well.
WetlandCare Australia invites you to nominate suitable wetland sites for assessment and possible future action. We will try and find appropriate funds, and assist you to develop and implement suitable works.
Suitable areas include wetlands that are permanently or occasionally inundated with water, including low-lying wetland areas connected to rivers and creeks, and the riparian margins of wetlands and waterways.
Suitable projects might include: stock control, fencing (but not boundary fencing), acid sulphate soil management, improving wetland hydrology (wetting and drying), managing groundwater, improving drought refuge values, re-establishing connections to waterways, revegetating bare areas, weed and pest control, sediment and erosion control, reinstating tidal flows (including modifying access tracks, roads, floodgates and levees), vehicle and access control.
Suitable sites will be selected for consideration when funding opportunities arise, or referred on to other suitable organisations where WetlandCare Australia cannot assist.
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