User:DeniseFord/sandbox

Charlesworth Wetland Reserve
Charlesworth Wetland Reserve is situated on the south west corner of the Avon Heathcote Estuary. This remnant saltwater marsh was drained in the early 1920's and turned into farmland. In 2005 the Christchurch City Council started the process of returning this 20 hectare piece of land back into wetland habitat. The Avon-Heathcote Estuary/Ihutai Trust, Christchurch City Council Park Rangers and many volunteers have been part of the restoration of the wetland. Trees, shrubs and saltmarsh plants have been planted and weeds removed. The creation of 'wader scrapes', pools and channels has allowed many of the estuary's bird species to successfully feed and breed in the reserve.