Community involvement at Ō Tū Wharekai
The Ashburton Lakes / Ō Tū Wharekai and upper Rangitata River have a long history of community involvement.
Community groups
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Forest and Bird and the Ornithological Society have been carrying out annual winter waterfowl counts since 1984.
- The Rangitata Landcare Group was set up by adjacent landowners, territorial authorities and DOC in 1999 to control broom in the upper Rangitata River.
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Mid-Canterbury Forest and Bird hold annual wilding pine work days around Lake Heron.
- The Lake Clearwater Hut Holders Association has fenced and revegetated 400m of riparian margin next to the Lake Clearwater baches. This helps protect water quality from run-off from the village and provide protection for breeding Australasian crested grebe / kāmana.
- The Hakatere Heritage Committee was initiated to protect the historic Hakatere Station buildings.
Business partnerships
Mark Gilbert (left) and Jason Marsh from
Hassle-free Tours fine-tuning an artificial
nest platform for grebes on Lake Emma
Hassle-free Tours initiated the use of artificial nesting platforms in 2009 to improve grebe breeding success.
Mark Gilbert, owner/operator of Hassle-free Tours designed and built floating nest platforms, which have been modified and trialled over subsequent seasons. We are currently trialling prototype III.
The general public
- The local community has been involved in many working bees, such as planting in the riparian margins around lakes
- The Arawai Kakariki project regularly hosts primary and secondary schools and tertiary institutes.
- Aoraki Polytechnic Outdoor Recreation course involves students in conservation projects
How do I get involved?
Email: otuwharekai@doc.govt.nz