Eastern Bay cleans up at BOP Conservation Awards
Date: 01 August 2008
A classic hands-on effort and a more contemporary backroom supporting role have both been recognised for their outstanding contribution to Bay of Plenty conservation.
Ohiwa Reserves Care Group and Radio Bay of Plenty (1XX) Ltd were last night presented with the 2008 awards for outstanding contribution to conservation. The awards are jointly presented by the Bay of Plenty Conservation Board and the Department of Conservation.
The Ohiwa Reserves Care Group has tackled pest control, organised re-planting and harnessed a fierce determination to look after three small areas of public land in and on the edge of Ohiwa Harbour.The group has taken two Opotiki District Council reserves and a Department of Conservation managed island under its wing and achieved remarkable success.
Under the group's care Whangakopikopiko has been rendered pest free and recently had 3000 Bay of Plenty endemic kanuka planted to enhance other restoration work already done. The island is now a breeding ground for a wide range of shorebirds and had signs erected to help its watchdog neighbours keep it safe from dogs, 4WD vehicles and other unwanted vistors.
The award judges felt the Ohiwa group is a fine example of a small community drawing on all its connections to deliver its objectives, with Waiotahe School, Upokorehe iwi and a range of governmental agencies all engaged to work for a successful outcome.
Radio Bay of Plenty (1XX) Ltd was presented with its award thanks to its tireless support for conservation initiatives at a level far beyond that expected of a commercial organisation. 1XX's contribution includes sponsorship of major conservation events such as Conservation Week, Arbor Day and Seaweek, but also extends to providing personnel and expertise to publicise the everyday needs of conservation projects including the Whakatane Kiwi Project.
1XX spreads its support far and wide, helping deliver conservation messages to communities from Matata to Ruatahuna and along the coast well beyond the boundaries of the Bay of Plenty Conservancy. That it has done so for many, many years makes the award especially warranted, the judges said.
Two other organisations were presented with commendations while a further four were given official acknowledgements for their contribution to conservation with in the Bay of Plenty. The first commendation went to Radioworks (Tauranga) Ltd, whose support made a highly successful community-based Sea Festival on Mt Maunganui's main beach possible. The second comendation went to Ngongotaha Bush Restoration Trust which has embarked on an ambitious project to return an icon site to its former glory.
Acknowledgements went to:
Youth Development Pou Whakaaro for its project to restore wetlands in the Whakatane District while providing education for youth with disabilities;
Mary Parkinson for her development of a butterfly house and garden within the Te Puna Quarry Park;
Wai-Ora Experiences for restoration, education and pest control efforts at Tikitere/Hell's Gate and on Mokoia Island, and;
Ngatuhoa Lodge Outdoor Education Society for its work to provide facilities and opportunities for young people to learn about and enjoy New Zealand's unique natural environment.
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