World Wetlands Day 2001: Australia

Key Area

Objectives

Strategies

Re – creation of habitat

• Create a sustainable diverse wetland with an appropriate native flora and fauna.

• Re – create the wetlands with a concept of pre-European habitation.

• Create an environment to support terrestrial and aquatic species, thereby improving river health and enhancing stream integrity.

• Improve the water quality of the Morwell and LaTrobe Rivers, downstream wetlands and the Gippsland Lakes

• Identify and plant species of plants indigenous to the area before European settlement.
• Identify the faunal species to be attracted to the wetland.
• Identify the habitat, shelter and food chain requirements of the above faunal species.
• Include sufficient space for sub-shrub, ground covers and herbs.
• Source seed for local provenance, and nurseries able to supply suitable plants, and seedlings, or to on grow cuttings.
• Integrate a development plan for each site with an overall plan (plant out completely with its diversity of plants, or, plant species of one type on each nominated site, in a cycle).
• Prepare a development timetable.
• Identify procedures for, and control pest species.

Community involvement

• Enhance the Community’s outlook of the importance of our wetlands as part of the eco-system
• Encourage the involvement of community groups in the building and maintenance of the wetland

• Target Schools, Community service groups (Apex, Lions, Rotary), Industry, and specialist groups such as Field Naturalists, Field & Game Association, Fly Fishers Association, local Council.

• Link as a place to visit (park/picnic/walks/BBQ etc)
• Signage from highway
• Tourism Victoria
• Recruitment drive for volunteers

• Establish a "Friends of the Morwell Wetlands" group

Education

• Develop the wetland into an interactive project, enabling the study and monitoring of a wetland ecosystem.
• Utilise the wetland as an educational tool and model for primary, secondary and tertiary studies
• Establish information and understanding of wetlands into the broader community

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• Create a day visitors centre as a major part of the education program
• Target schools, media
• Run feature articles and promote significant events
• Establish literature on the Morwell River wetlands
• Establish a Web site database on the Morwell River wetlands
• Establish links to related data sources and organisations

Management of the asset

• Develop sustainable management plans for the wetlands.
• Seek sponsorship of wetlands projects
• To promote the wetlands and recognise the champions who have supported their development and maintenance

• Develop sponsorships for identifiable areas of the wetlands, or for a project/activity.
• Create a commercial focus with the employees of a specific business to build & maintain a feature

• Boardwalks
• Plantings
• Maintenance
• Facilities