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Many visitors and some Hamilton residents may not be aware of the extensive gully systems that exist within the city. These gullies add another dimension to the cityscape, providing green space for recreation, visual relief from the urban environment, and habitats for a wide range of wildlife. They are also a vital part of the city's walkway and drainage systems.
Over the years as the built up environment expanded, the gully's natural features became degraded and a large proportion of their native flora and fauna was lost before they gained some protection in 1987 under the Hamilton City Environmental Protection Overlay (see Protecting our Gullies - a summary guideline).
The aim of the Gully Restoration Programme is to assist Hamilton residents with gully sections in bringing these 'green fingers' in the city back to their former glory - alive with the sounds of birds and insects. The programme hopes to raise awareness and appreciation of Hamilton's gully systems, and enable the physical restoration of this resource.
Hamilton is also the home of the Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park. The park is being developed to reconstruct native lowland and wetland ecosystems as were once widespread in the Waikato region. The 60 ha Natural Heritage Park is located on the north-west outskirts of Hamilton and includes a peat lake (Horseshoe Lake) that is surrounded by introduced willow trees. Restoration plantings on the formerly grazed pasture are being staged in planting zone, focusing on the lake margin initially and progressively expanding onto the adjacent hillslopes.
Check out some of links below, and take action today to support the biodiversity in our city. | 
