Charlesworth Reserve and Wetland in Ferrymead is one of the projects spearheaded by the Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust.
The trust was formed in 2002 with support from the city council, Environment Canterbury and Ngai Tahu.
It aims to enhance and sustain the estuary area by creating healthy eco-systems, protecting natural resources, monitoring and maintaining land and connecting the community.
The trust is funded by the Rātā Foundation. Its chief executive Leighton Evans was "in awe" of the work staff and volunteers have done.
“It’s incredible to see how much work and effort has been put in by the trust and the community to bring these wetlands back to life,” he said.
“Volunteers are the backbone of the community sector and have been instrumental in ensuring the Ihutai project and its wetland remain an environmental asset to Christchurch for generations to enjoy.”
Trust chairman Kit Doudney said the group has come a long way since forming almost two decades ago.
“Charlesworth Reserve is a great example of how an entire landscape has been transformed and returned to its natural state,” Dr Doudney said.
“Over almost 20 years, the land has gone from being an industrial plot to a natural wetland.
“The trust and its volunteers have put so much work and effort into maintaining and enhancing the land.
"By planting native bush and trees we have seen birdlife return and thrive in that area.”
Dr Doudney said involving and engaging with the community is a key part of how the trust works.
“We co-ordinate and facilitate a range of different meetings and education opportunities with the community."
The trust has a number of events and working bees, which draw in volunteers from across the city.
“We have the 'mother of all clean-ups' event, now in its fifth year, where on Mother’s Day weekend up to 1200 volunteers, representing 36 community groups, collect litter from our waterways."
This year the estuary was awarded the status of being a wetland of international significance.
“We received the award in October from the East Asia-Australasian Flyway Network, based in Korea.”
