Our six strategic priorities:

Biodiversity and restoration group

The term biodiversity (from “biological diversity”) refers to the variety of life on earth at all its levels, from genes to ecosystems. Biodiversity plays an important role in the way ecosystems function and in the many services they provide. Services include nutrient and water cycling, soil formation and retention, resistance against invasive species, pollination of plants, regulation of climate, as well as pest and pollution control by ecosystems. Looking after biodiversity and restoring it is an important part of looking after catchment health.

The community identified that the revegetation of riparian areas and improved biodiversity was a priority including:

  • We want to restore riparian margins along both the main river but also its tributaries and small streams to improve aquatic and biodiversity health, reduce impacts of flood debris and reduce riverbank erosion and decrease water temperatures in the face of climate change.
  • We want to augment and sometimes replace willow’s role on the river over time with native plantings.
  • We want to care for remaining alluvial forest and restore links/corridors and promote bird life.

The group has the following objectives:

  • Promote knowledge of native plant propagation.
  • Encourage and support both existing and new community nurseries.
  • Fund native propagation and planting in schools.
  • Work alongside environmental educators and other stakeholders.
  • Boost effective riparian planting on public and private land.
  • Assist landowners to restore existing and create new wetlands.
  • Work to strengthen catchment resilience to more extreme natural events by fostering local biodiversity.

The Biodiversity and Restoration Thematic Group (BAR group) is a very active group of 8 members who meet 4-6 weekly. The BAR group have achieved a significant amount during their time. They have organised plantings along the awa, grown thousands of seedlings at community nurseries, and held community workshops and training. Read this article about the progress and updates about this group (link to article). See the our people page for key members of this group.

For queries, contact Biodiversity and Restoration Group Chair, Kate Radloff on biodiversity@motuekacatchment.org.nz

Susan Fenemor collecting mānuka seeds for her nursery, photo credit Dana Carter.

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