Youth wetland photos could win world travel

Young people from 15 to 24 are in with a chance to win international travel by entering the World Wetlands Day youth photo competition.

The Department of Conservation is encouraging young people to take a picture of their favourite wetland on their phone or camera, and upload it to the World Wetlands Day website between 2 February and 2 March 2015. The winner will receive a free flight to a famous wetland of their choice anywhere in the world, courtesy of Star Alliance Biosphere Connections.

World Wetlands Day on 2 February marks the adoption of the International Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar.

The theme for World Wetlands Day 2015 is Wetlands for our future; Te tirohanga mua m ng mria.

DOC Conservation Services Ranger Daniel Jack says Wetlands play an essential role in our environment including filtering and cleansing water, providing critical habitat for many plants and animals and acting as a natural shield to protect our landscape through absorbing water runoff and providing a controlled release of water to lakes, rivers and our coast. They are biodiversity hotspots and provide many recreational opportunities.

Wetlands can be broadly defined as areas where the presence of water is the primary factor controlling the environment and associated plant and animal life. There are a number of accessible places frequented by people that are classified as wetlands including, lakes, large reservoirs and estuaries.

Some of the most significant and stunning wetlands in the region are found at:

Lake Waihola -Waipori wetlands and Sinclair Wetlands

Approximately 33 km south of Dunedin, Lake Waihola, Lake Waipori and Sinclair Wetlands make up the most significant area of wetland habitat in Otago. The area is nationally and internationally recognised as a precious refuge for many threatened and endangered species of plant, fish and birds.

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Youth wetland photos could win world travel