What we are about
EMPOWERING COMMUNITY-LED
CONSERVATION
of AUSTRALASIAN BITTERN
in AOTEAROA
Australasian Bittern (matuku-hūrepo) are a flagship species for our wetland ecosystems. As a species, Bittern embody wetlands like no other.
90% of wetlands across the nation have been lost and research reports a 89% decline in Bittern populations. This loss is not confined to the past. Wetlands are largely undervalued for the services they provide (help slow down and filter water, store more carbon and are home to more species than any other ecosystem here in New Zealand) and continue to be lost and degraded.
As an apex predator in a wetland, Australasian Bittern should be recognised as an indicator of wetland health, sadly they are hardly recognised at all and their population continues to decline.
​​For Bittern, every wetland counts.
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We see a clear and growing need for capacity and capability building in and around wetland communities. This project addresses this critical gap by creating urgent, coordinated conservation action to help save Bittern in their natural wetland habitats.
With our focus on Bittern we are also helping other threatened native species dependent on wetlands, the wetlands themselves and our communities who are connected to wetlands to thrive.
Through its focus on Bittern, The Love Bittern Project, helps connect people to their wetlands, helps people to recognise the value of wetlands, empowers people to take meaningful action and foster lasting collaboration in every region across New Zealand to help save Bittern from extinction.