Everglades part of wetlands tour

A visit to the Everglades Lagoon Wetland in Woy Woy will be part of a Wetland Crawl on November 29.

The Wetland Crawl will begin at Woy Woy station where participants will hop on a bus and travel to three wetland locations around the Central Coast.

The wetland trek is a part of the Community Environment Network's Wetland Education Project.

Wetlands project officer Ms Narelle Leite said the Community Environment Network selected three priority wetlands in consultation with local councils as a focus for its education program.

"All over the Central Coast, wetlands are being cleared, filled-in and built upon," Ms Leite said.

"They are often referred to as swamps, bogs or wastelands, however, wetlands are vitally important habitats, which play major roles in terms of the health of our environment.

"They are home to a variety of native plants which can only live in wet places.

"They provide a place for animals such as frogs, water birds and juvenile fish to feed, shelter and develop.

They also act as filtration systems and remove pollutants from runoff before it enters our major waterways and help to stabilise shorelines.

"To find out more about these amazing places before they disappear come along on our wetland crawl."

Palm Springs Avenue Wetland in Glenning Valley, Dora Point Wetland in Dora Creek along with the Everglades site will be included in the excursion.

There will be activities at each wetland such as collecting water bugs, a survey of native wetland plants and water quality testing.

Guest speakers will also be on hand to give talks on topics such as the use of rushes in Aboriginal weaving, the effects of climate change on the Central Coast and what local councils are doing to protect wetland habitats.

The Wetland Crawl runs from 9am to 4.15pm.

Participants can join the bus at Tuggerah Shopping Centre at 8.10am or Woy Woy Train Station at 9am.

The cost of the Wetland Crawl is free for CEN members, $5 for adults and $2.50 for children.

The cost of the day includes transport, lunch and morning tea.

Bookings are essential and can be made by phoning Marilyn on 4349 4756.

Press release, 11 Nov 2008 Marilyn Leidich, Community Environment Network