Local wetland benefits from Catchment Care project
Archived content: This media release was accurate on the date of publication.
Introduction
Volunteers are working with DOC and the Waituna Landcare Group to help restore an area of the internationally important Waituna/Awarua wetland complex in a new initiative called "Catchment Care".Date: 01 April 2010
The Department of Conservation (DOC) is receiving a helping hand to restore an area of the internationally important Waituna/Awarua wetland complex this week.
Eight international volunteers are working with DOC and the Waituna Landcare Group planting native trees and doing weed control work on an area of retired farm land, thanks to a new initiative called "Catchment Care".
Catchment Care has been set up by Fonterra and Conservation Volunteers New Zealand - a not for profit trust that works with local communities, the business sector and government agencies to bring together additional volunteers to undertake conservation projects.
Fonterra is providing financial support for projects that have a riparian or wetland focus in areas where dairying is a significant industry and Conservation Volunteers NZ is working with key organisations to identify suitable projects and organise the manpower.
DOC Awarua/Waituna Project Manager Sally Chesterfield said the volunteers are contributing significantly, enabling DOC to extend its wetland projects further and achieve more work for greater conservation benefit.
"Due to the Catchment Care initiative and the help of the volunteers DOC is able to achieve more of the restoration plan goals than we anticipated would be possible this year".
The volunteers finish today after spending the day working alongside members of the Waituna Landcare Group.