Environment Waikato has organised a guided tour of the Waipa wetlands later this month as part of the Waikato Festival of the Environment.

Organiser, Environment Waikato ecologist Grant Barnes, says the free tour on Sunday, March 18 is an opportunity for people to see the peat lakes in the Waipa area and learn about the value of these unique hidden treasures. The tour, organised in conjunction with Waipa District Council, will include lakes Rotomanuka, Serpentine, Ngaroto and Cameron.

Free bus transport is provided from Hamilton at the Eastside Tavern carpark and Te Awamutu’s Visitor Information Centre and the tour will run from 10am to 3pm. Registrations are essential to gauge numbers and if the weather is wet the tour will be transferred to March 25. Interested people can register by calling Environment Waikato's Freephone 0800 800 401, faxing (07) 856 0551 or emailing grant.barnes@ew.govt.nz.

The Festival of the Environment runs from March 10 to 18 and includes a variety of environmental events and activities throughout the Region designed to raise people’s awareness and participation.

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