Environmental restoration on private land

The majority of ecologically significant sites in Kāpiti are privately owned. The Council offers assistance to landowners to protect and enhance these sites, including financial contributions, rates remissions for covenanted land, and advice from biodiversity staff.

Assistance is also available from a range of governmental agencies and independent organisations. One site in Kāpiti where the Council and other agencies are working together to support the landowner is Graham Booth's wetland.

• Greater Wellington Regional Council can provide advice and, in some cases, assistance to people wanting to manage, restore and protect natural areas and features on their own land. It also produces a regional Native Plant Guide and a range of written resources for care groups.
• QEII National Trust is an independent statutory organisation helping landowners to protect significant natural and cultural features on their land through open space covenants. A useful resource, Native Forest Restoration: A Practical Guide for Landowners can be downloaded from their website.

Image: Graham Booth's backyard wetland. Courtesy of Forest & Bird/Jo Williams.