Otago Catchment Community co-ordinator Anna Robinson, of Alexandra, said about 40 people from across the South attended the "awesome" workshop in Omakau earlier this month.
The workshop was headlined by Niwa aquatic pollution principal scientist Chris Tanner, a leading authority on wetland design and construction.
Dr Tanner shared knowledge of wetland development "from the earthworks to the planting".
He was involved in the design phase of the 3.5ha Thomsons Creek wetland, near Omakau, to reduce sediment entering the Manuherikia River.
The workshop included a visit to the wetland, where planting would begin soon, she said.
Another speaker at the workshop was Otago Regional Council consents team leader Mat Bell, who talked about what triggered the need for a consent to construct a wetland, why it was needed and how to obtain one.
The group at the workshop in Omakau included 13 catchment groups representatives, she said.
"Which is pretty cool."
Future Otago Catchment Community events include the return of Sam the Trapman speaking about catchment-scale predator control in Dunedin, Glenorchy and South Otago on October 27 and 28 and Lee Cowan speaking about communication essentials for catchment groups in Alexandra on November 7.
