Waikanae Estuary Care Group
Winners!
Waikanae Estuary Care Group was presented with the Rata Community Partnership Award at the 2009 Greater Wellington Environmental Awards. The progress being made by the group in restoring the Waikane Estuary was acknowledged by the judges. Since 2004 members have planted more than 25 000 native plants and progressively eliminated weeds to return the area closer to its natural state. The Care Group grows many of its own plants in its own plant nursery.
Members of the Waikanae Estuary Care Group
Up-coming working bees
Summer weeding bees
Saturday 5 February
We're weeding and releasing plants from invasive nasties on the Paraparaumu side of the river. Meet on the bend of Manly Street (the flag will be flying) and make your way down the track to the working sites. Don't forget your sun hat and sunscreen! Morning tea will be provided.
Saturday 19 February
Meet on Manly Street, Paraparaum (opposite Hadfield Place) the flag will be flying! Walk along the track to find planting site 3 where yet more weeds await us. Don't forget your sun hat and sunscreen! Morning tea will be provided.
Saturday 5 March
There is so much work to be done that we are returning to our weeding site at RPS 3. Meet on Manly Street, Paraparaum (opposite Hadfield Place) the flag will be flying! Walk along the track. Don't forget your sun hat and sunscreen! Morning tea will be provided.
Saturday 19 March
Meet at the end of Takahe Drive (off Kotuku Drive in Paraparaumu) to head into the Honda Tree Planting site to tackle the weeds. Don't forget your sun hat and sunscreen! Morning tea will be provided.
Saturday 2 April
Venue to be confirmed
Saturday 16 April
Venue to be confirmed
Saturday 30 April
Venue to be confirmed
Where can you find the group?
At the mouth of the Waikanae Estuary is the protected Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve. The reserveis managed by the Department of Conservation. It is one of thelargest remaining estuaries in the country and is classified on the list of New Zealand's wetlands of national significance because its catchment is largely intact native vegetation. The group have been involved with planting esturine plant species around the south side of the Waikanae Estuary. Follow the link to see an aerial photo of the reserve.
Contact Details
The group is chaired by Graeme Cook (a local Waikanae resident).
Phone 04 904 6274
Greater Wellington contact Tessa Roberts, ph: 04 830 4029, email Tessa.Roberts@gw.govt.nz
To view the current care group newsletter, please click on the link in the right hand column.
What has the group done?
The Waikanae Estuary Care Group was formed in late 2004. The main aim of the group is restorative planting. The group has carried out three restorative plantings and additional working bees within the reserve and has grown significantly in both numbers and support. The group also have a shade house where native plants are grown from locally collected seed.
If you are interested in working in the shade house or being involved on a practical level, please contact Deb Finn phone 04 905 1396.
Find out about our Open Day held in May
Current activities - planting
Planting at the 2010 Open Day
It's planting season! Plants love this cold wet weather as it enables them to establish their roots in their new growing environment before those hot summer days come along. This is a busy time for the Care Group as we have approx. 7000 plants to get in the ground before Spring. Come along and give us a hand to complete this rewarding and fun work! See the planting day calendar above for details of where we will be when...
Regular working bees at the shade house continue. Contact Deb phone 04 905 1396 for more information.
Why get involved?
The estuary belongs to all of us. Getting involved to help plant and maintain native plantings in the estuary is an important step in restoring a wetland of national significance. It also means new friends, new skills and most importantly fun!