Forest & Bird is working on a variety of campaigns and projects to protect and restore our rivers, lakes and wetlands, including:

• Campaign to Save the Mokihinui River on the West Coast from being dammed for hydro development
• Support for a National Policy Standard for Freshwater Management that protects ecological values of our freshwater resources from inappropriate development.
• The Government released its standard in 2008 which is a step forward, but it still needs to be more specific, with five-yearly milestones, to deliver adequate protection.
• They are calling for a National Policy Standard under which, by 2035:
• • All rivers and lakes should support healthy ecosystems – the insects, fish, birds and other living things that depend on them.
  • All rivers and lakes should be safe to swim in.
  • All rivers and lakes should be safe for gathering food, whether it’s trout, eel, puha or freshwater mussels.
  • All groundwater must show stable or improving trends of water quality.
• Efforts to ensure that regional councils improve monitoring and enforcement of freshwater standards.
• Applications or support for Water Conservation Orders on rivers such as the Hurunui to protect them from inappropriate development.
• Applications for international recognition under the Ramsar Convention for wetlands of international importance.
• Hands-on projects restoring wetlands and stream and riverbanks.
• Work as part of the Clean Streams Accord to encourage farmers to clean up their act on agricultural run-off, fencing of waterways and riparian planting to protect our rivers and lakes.

BRITA is the ideal gift is attested to by the thousands of BRITA products that are given each year by people who show they care for the wellbeing of their friends or loved ones – so think BRITA on the occasion of weddings, engagements, Christmas, and birthdays, and make a difference.