I’m Sam, the Coastal Wetlands Community Organiser at NCC.  

Yesterday was World Mangrove Day, and I’ve just come back from visiting the beautiful Badu Mangroves in Sydney’s Olympic Park. 

Only a few decades ago, this site was really struggling, choking on toxic chemicals and pollution from nearby industry. The restored healthy mangroves there today prove that nature really can thrive in the most unlikely places, if we just give it a little space. 

Badu Mangroves are an example of what’s possible when we commit to the restoration and regeneration of nature. Now, it’s providing a haven for wildlife amidst the urban sprawl, including threatened species and migratory shorebirds. 

Wetlands such as mangroves are biodiversity hotspots. They protect us from storm surges and erosion, they filter and clean water, they store more carbon than any other eco-system and they are critical in protecting our communities from climate disasters like flooding and sea level rise.

And yet NSW has lost the majority of our wetlands since colonisation began. Some coastal wetlands in NSW are in such bad shape that their water has become more acidic than vinegar. 

These forgotten climate heroes have been drained, filled, cleared, neglected and destroyed for too long. That’s why we have a plan to turn the tide for wetlands.

Our coastal wetlands campaign is working on tackling the barriers to wetland restoration so that NSW's wetlands can take their rightful place as the ultimate nature-based climate superheroes.

Learn more about and support our campaign to protect and restore coastal wetlands.

We want everyone to know how important, amazing and essential wetlands are for our planet.