The year ahead: 2024
Happy new year! There’s always a long and varied list of things for the team at Rangitīkei Environment Group to do. Continuing to grow, REG will be visiting at least 49 bush sites in 2024.
This is broad overview of what the REG team will be working on this year. We are looking forward to what 2024 has in store.
January – June
- Full-on weed control at public reserves across the Rangitīkei. This includes land vested in local territorial authorities, road reserves, and Forest & Bird reserves.
- Kotiata Wetland Restoration Project: This is community-led restoration of the wetlands along the coast. The Turakina Beach community is strongly connected with the natural environment. In this area there is easy access to the beach, Turakina River and open spaces.
- Hautapu Sub Catchment Group Project: An urban weed program targeting Old Man’s Beard (OMB), providing support to local iwi at their marae. REG are also reaching out to members of the public who might need help with their urban garden weed control in Marton, Taihape and Bulls.
- Helping preserve indigenous bush remnants on private farmland across the Rangitīkei.
July – September
- Riparian planting: Riparian zones are the areas that border streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. Riparian planting benefits the environment by filtering sediment and nutrients before they enter waterways. The plants also help prevent bank erosion and improve the habitat for native wildlife.
- Revegetation planting: Revegetation is crucial for the restoration of wetlands. This involves removal of introduced plants, and replacing these with native species appropriate to the area.
- Land stabilisation initiatives: Poplar pole services to rural landowners. Poplars trees are ideal for controlling erosion, and work well as a cover crop for natives. Their extensive root system helps to bind soil on stream-sides and hillsides.
October – December
- Contract for removal of Darwin’s Barberry: While this plant can look quite pretty with its yellow flowers, it can do real damage to our native environment. Darwin’s Barberry is a long-living plant, with numerous seeds that are spread by birds and possums.
- Scoping programmes: Assessing our bush reserves to identify prevalent weeds. Plans are then developed to effectively manage these weeds.
- Begin environmental weed control.
As you can see, Rangitīkei Environment Group is continues to protect our natural environment for the enjoyment of future generations. Our reach is growing year-on-year, and we’d love for you to be a part of it.
Whakapūpūtia mai ō mānuka, kia kore ai e whati. Cluster the branches of the mānuka so that they will not break – there is great strength in togetherness.