Awards for Northland Weed Busters
Date: 09 June 2008
Amazing and inspiring is how Northland's Weedbusters have been described at this week's Northland Weedbuster awards.
The work of Weedbusters from around the region was acknowledged at a workshop and prize-giving function in Kerikeri.
Speakers from Landcare Research, the Department of Conservation, the Auckland Regional Council and a thriving volunteer community gathered with DOC and Council staff to network and talk about weeds.
Regional Weedbusters co-ordinator Gina Williams, says she's often blown away by the effort individuals and groups in the community put into weed management.
"This is done by people in their own time and largely with their own money who work tirelessly to weed, replant and care for local forests, farming communities, lakes, streams, and valuable historic sites for the benefit of future generations"
The awards and education day jointly run by the Department of Conservation and the NZ Landcare Trust recognises, and supports the achievements of weed groups and professionals.
"These people thoroughly deserve their awards. We're also backing them up by providing practical weed control information and the opportunity to network and hear what others in Northland are up to" Ms Williams says.
Speakers described the latest and greatest in biological control for plants like Tradescantia and moth plant, and looked at new weeds on the horizon for Northland. These are plants that are out of control in similar climates overseas, but are yet to 'jump the fence' here. Workshops on herbicide use and resourcing projects were also well received.
"These regional awards are part of a nationwide campaign to reward New Zealanders for their efforts in the battle against environmental weeds," says NZ Landcare Trust co-ordinator in Northland, Helen Moodie. "We hope that by publicly recognising what landowners and farmers contribute to improving the local environment we will encourage even more commitment and participation."
Awards were received by nine Northland individuals and groups from Kaitaia, Mangonui, Kerikeri, Hokianga, Whangarei and Bream Bay.
Among the several hard working individuals were recognised were John and Elizabeth Comely awarded for their weed and pest control, and restoration work at a Far North District Council reserve adjacent Edmond's Ruins, Kerikeri Inlet.
Jean Hawkins was acknowledged for weed and pest control at Maunu Cemetery and on private covenanted land, as was Murray Hall of Whangarei Heads, for his significant achievements in weed reduction at Reotahi Scenic Reserve.
The Weedbuster awards recognised careful planning and dedication of Doubtless Bay's Friends of Taumarumaru Reserve, and the commitment of Friends of Rangikapiti Pa to managing ongoing weed issues at what is a striking Ngati Kahu pa.
Top award for Advocacy/education went to Bushlands Trust, who among their many weed and restoration projects, once a year engages bus loads of school children in weed work at Lake Ngatu, Kaitaia.
South Hokianga Ginger Group took the top Private Land award for their strong community commitment to getting rid of ginger on private land around the Waiotemarama area.
Public land award went to Bream Bay Coastal Care Trust, and an Excellence award to Little Munro Bay Landcare Group for their hard work in Vinson Bush eradicating difficult weeds, with the end vision an extension of the Whangarei Heads walking track.
Weedbusters is an interagency program supported by the Department of Conservation, Biosecurity New Zealand, Federated Farmers, Biodiversity New Zealand, NZ Landcare Trust, Nursery and Garden Industry Association, NZ Biosecurity Institute, NZ Plant Protection Society, (and many unitary and regional councils in New Zealand).
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