About 25 senior pupils from Whareama and Opaki schools attended the Conservation Week event to remove weeds from the native dune plants adjacent to the Riversdale Surf Club.

The pupils got plenty of advice, support and food from the Riversdale Dune Committee and staff from Greater Wellington Regional Council and DOC.

The weeding event followed a community dune planting further south on Riversdale Beach in July.

DOC ranger Jim Flack says it is great to see kids getting excited about protecting the dunes.

“For a lot of them this is their local beach and it’s great to see them improving the environment for everyone.

“Communities looking after their own backyard is where it is at. The regional council and DOC staff really enjoy working together to support these activities.”