What's New @ Ramsar

Wetland symposium on Restoration set for Wellington, New Zealand, 27-28 February 2004

Programme

National Wetland Symposium

Restoring Wetlands - a practical forum

Wellington
27 - 28 February 2004
Optional field trip 29 February 2004

The National Wetland Symposium is intended to be a highly practical, participant driven, forum for knowledge exchange, training and networking for landowners, iwi, people committed to wetland biodiversity, local government staff and wetland scientists.

To this end, the symposium involves a range of sessions. These are:

TRAINING WORKSHOPS

These will have a practical focus and will be led by people with experience in the following areas:

• restoring and monitoring wetland hydrology;
• managing wetland weeds;
• re-vegetation techniques;
• wetland classification,
• the life of mudfish; and
• enhancing habitat for wetland birds.

Workshop leaders will explain techniques and where possible will provide hands-on training.

KEY SPEAKERS

A chance for all participants to gather together and hear speakers on topics of interest to all participants. Confirmed keynote speakers are:

1. Marekopa Wiremu-Matakatea from Muaupoko speaking about the largest tangata whenua led restoration project in New Zealand happening at Lake Horowhenua.

2. Brian Sorrell, Principal Scientist at NIWA presenting a lively talk on 7 ways to increase biodiversity in your wetland.

3. Want to know the difference between a swamp and a bog? Peter Johnson, the author of 'Wetland Plants in New Zealand' and an expert wetland photographer, will be taking us on a photographic 'guided tour' of different wetland types and discussion of some of their management issues.

OTHER PRESENTATIONS/TALKS

We will run in parallel sessions with three different strands; action on the ground, policy and education and science and research. We're looking for people to give presentations that focus on:

• practical wetland management;
• restoration techniques;
• case studies; and
• best practice.

If you would like to give a talk send a brief (300 word) summary to wetlands@gw.govt.nz by 30 January 2004.

DISCUSSION FORUM

These sessions will be run as open forum sessions. Topics for the sessions will be gathered from participants on Friday and will be led by experienced facilitators on Saturday.

Friday 27 February

8:30 am Welcome / Powhiri
9:30 am Keynote speaker(1)
10:15 am Morning tea
10:35 am Papers in parallel sessions (1)
12:35 am Lunch
1:10 pm Keynote speaker(2)
1:55 pm Training workshops(1)
2:55 pm Afternoon Tea
3:15 pm Training Workshop (2)
4:15 pm Ideas for discussion forums
4:35 pm - 5:00 Soap box session - your chance to stand up for five minutes and talk about anything wetland related.
7:30 pm Symposium dinner and speaker

Saturday 28 February

8:30 am Keynote speaker(3)
9:15 am Papers in parallel sessions (3)
10:15 am Morning tea
10:35 am Training Workshop (3)
11:35 am Discussion forums
12:35 pm Lunch
1:30 pm Papers in parallel sessions (4)
3:30 pm Afternoon tea
3:45 pm Evaluation of symposium and keeping a wetland network alive.
4:15 pm Soap box session - your chance to stand up for five
minutes and talk about anything wetland related.
4.45 pm Close symposium

Sunday 29 February

Optional field trip to Nga Manu Reserve on the Kapiti Coast. Departing from Wellington at 9am returning at 3.30pm.

Nga Manu Reserve is the largest remnant of original lowland coastal swamp forest in the lower North Island; pukatea, swamp maire, and kahikatea are all growing here.

Nga Manu also supports a vast range of water fowl, and mudfish.

Venue: Tapu Te Ranga Marae

The Wetland Symposium is being held in Tapu Te Ranga Marae, Island Bay, Wellington. Accommodation will be available at the marae for a small charge. Tapu Te Ranga Marae is a unique, modern, urban marae. Tapu Te Ranga Marae (literally translated as "the sacred rising") was named after the island in Island Bay. The marae is former builder and Maori historian Bruce Stewart unrivalled passion. It is a marae for all people and community groups in Wellington.

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ramsar@ramsar.org). Posted 6 February 2004, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.