World Environment Day 2010 has the theme of 'Many Species. One Planet. One Future', and looks to celebrate the diversity of life on Earth - coinciding nicely with this year being the International Year of Biodiversity. So what better place to celebrate than The Hunter Wetlands Centre.It's also a great chance to wish the Wetlands a happy 25th Anniversary.

On Saturday, June 5th, The Hunter Wetlands Centre will celebrate their 25th Anniversary and World Environment Day with a family carnivalwhich promises to be fun for all.

The essence of community spirit is no stranger to the location. Years before the transformation into the Hunter Wetlands Centre, the site was known as Marist Park and was home to the Hamilton Rugby Club. The sporting fields lay dormant for a number of years before community efforts brought it back to life and with the help of over 355,000 volunteer hours, the site has undergone a remarkable process of rehabilitation and regeneration to become a haven for wildlife and people.

Thanks to a committed staff, dedicated volunteers, supporter groups and members conservation, work on the site has seen a return of healthy wetlands providing habitat for over 250 birds and many other wetland species, including threatened and endangered species.

There are many activities planned for the 5th June including the ceremonial planting of the 100,000th plant onsite by founding conservation enthusiasts Max Maddock and Paddy Lightfoot. On the same day The Wetlands will also launch their Local Schools Working Together project with a sod turning for our new Education centre by Sharon Grierson MP. The Department of Education and Training’s Wetlands Environmental Education Centre currently services annually over 8,000 school children from public, catholic and independent schools and this capacity will double on completion of the new building.

Anna Ryan, Ecotourism Manager of the centre says, “We’re very excited to have the two events on the one program for our Anniversary, as the ceremonial planting symbolises acknowledgement of our progress and how far we’ve come with the regeneration of the site and the new educational facility project looks ahead to what we’re going to achieve and how we will continue to grow in the future. We play a key role in communication, education and public awareness to the community and it’s nice to think that with continued support we can go from strength to strength”.

The Anniversary and World Environment Day Carnival will be a busy day with a community planting session, talks, workshops, tours, stalls, food, children’s activity zone, entertainment and a canoe challenge. People can discover an array of activities from dip netting, bushwalking, observation towers, board walks, rainforest treks, Cafe Nourish, the visitors centre and much more.

Entry for the 25th Anniversary and World Environment Day Carnival is by donation.

Visit the Hunter Wetlands Centre website for more information

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