The Act describes this as a matter of national importance because:
- After 80 million years of relative isolation, New Zealand has many unique plants and animals that do not occur anywhere else.
- We have one of the worst records for loss of native species.
- Nearly one third of our native land and freshwater birds are now extinct.
- Three out of seven of our native frogs are extinct.
- More than one fifth of our plants are threatened or uncommon (6 are extinct).
- Christchurch has seven endemic plant species that are only found here.
- The number of birds and the variety of bird species are increasing in Christchurch.
In Christchurch, 500 places with remnant native vegetation have been surveyed and evaluated. 49 sites are listed and mapped in the City Plan as ecological heritage sites. About two thirds of the sites are in public ownership.
Ecological heritage sites need protection from threats such as weeds and animal pests, shrinking size and number of remnants of native vegetation, as well as the growing distance between remnants.
To protect and maintain our ecological heritage sites, the Council is:
- restoring and planting along waterways
- planting in parks and reserves
- carrying out habitat improvements
- buying natural areas
- managing the coast
- carrying out research and monitoring
- managing recreational use of sensitive areas
- controlling weeds and pests on Council land
- providing information
- organising tours, talks and school holiday programmes
- promoting protection covenants by private landowners
- protecting areas through the City Plan.
You can help protect ecological heritage sites by doing the following:
- Protect any natural areas on your land.
- Plant local native plants in your garden to help develop green corridors.
- Avoid planting weedy exotic plants.
- Plant to provide food and shelter for animals.
- Volunteer for planting days.
- Visit and familiarise yourself with ecological heritage sites in your area.
- Keep pets under control when you visit an Ecological Heritage Site.
- Join the adopt-a-park scheme.
