Weed grass is springing up in some spots but as co-volunteer Ashlea Mahoney notes, a small army will soon start replacing them with indigenous species.

In the wake of World Wetlands Day on Tuesday, both are highlighting the Eastgrove landscape's importance. Mr Antram is the Goulburn Field Naturalists Society president and a Friends of Goulburn Swamplands (FROGS) volunteer. Ms Mahoney is also a FROGS volunteer and committee member.

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World Wetlands Day celebrates the signing of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (the RAMSAR Convention) on February 2, 1971 in Iran. This year marks its 50^th anniversary.

Mr Antram said Australia was one of the founding nations and now has 66 Ramsar wetlands, including Kakadu National Park.

The Goulburn wetlands, established some 10 years ago, is not in that category but rates highly in his mind.

"They're important locally and provide a wildlife refuge," Mr Antram said.

"They're very popular with residents just coming for a walk, jog or cycle and we get regular visitors from Sydney, Wollongong, Canberra and northern NSW. They come from all over, as birdwatchers do."

Mr Antram is also a birdwatcher. He spent 25 years working with the Department of Environment in Canberra and moved to Goulburn 10 years ago. He joined FROGS and helped clear and revegetate the "overgrown old brick pit" off May Street. The council also supported the project.

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"It was a total trash pit and now it's a really beautiful place to visit," Mr Antram said.

"...I've been a bird watcher all my life. They're my passion and I love being in the bush and seeing what's around.

"About 134 species of birds have been recorded here since the project began. That number is only likely to increase as the trees and shrubs mature, and the ponds do not dry out too frequently."

Lately, he's noticed the royal spoonbill visiting. Occasionally, black swans feed off the water weed, which creates a mecca for birds.

The Field Naturalists are keen to hold organised bird watching days at the Eastgrove facility.

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Mr Antram also pointed out that the council's sewage maturation ponds in Gorman Road, currently off limits to the public, were also highly important, hosting 146 waterbird species.

"I am hopeful that the council will recognise the environmental benefit and tourism potential of the site," he said.

The matter has been discussed at council level as part of the effluent irrigation farm's future.

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Meantime, Ms Mahoney has been involved with FROGS for about seven years and assisted with the extensive early planting at Eastgrove. She describes it as "a good little wetland for Goulburn." Ms Mahoney and a core group of about 10 volunteers participate in weekly working bees.

FROGS is looking for more volunteers and encourages people to drop down to the working bees each Wednesday from 9am to noon. Entry is off May Street.

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