September 10 2010
Awards acknowledge biodiversity champions
Entries are open for Waipa District Council’s 2010 Biodiversity Awards.
The awards recognise contributions made by individuals and groups in conserving the Waipa District’s spectacular natural heritage.
Council’s manager community facilities Tony Roxburgh said the awards are an important acknowledgement of the individuals and groups making a significant effort to improve the district’s biodiversity.
“Apart from the obvious gains in safeguarding and enhancing natural sites, habitats and species, we hope these awards show that conserving natural heritage can be a personally rewarding experience,” Mr Roxburgh said.
There are awards in five categories: Habitat Retention and Management on Private Land; Habitat Development and Management on Reserve and Public Land; Retention, Development and Management of Natural Landscapes; Natural Heritage Education; and Natural Heritage Tourism.
Winners of previous awards include The Te Pahu Landcare Group for its work re-vegetating the riparian buffer alongside the Kaniwhaniwha stream, and the Kakepuku Mountain Conservation Society for its pest eradication and control programme. The Society was the first community group in New Zealand to translocate a species - the North Island robin. Today, Kakepuku Mountain has the highest density of tui and kereru in the Waikato.
In 2008 Te Miro School won an award for its work re-vegetating a paddock adjoining the school. This ambitious project required learning about tree species and forest ecology, consulting with specialists, seeking authority to get seeds from adjoining forest reserves, consulting with the Te Miro community and preparing a restoration plan together with costings, actions and timelines.
The Biodiversity Awards are held every two years. Entries for the 2010 Awards close on October 1. For more information, contact Tony Roxburgh on 0800 924 723 or email tony.roxburgh@waipadc.govt.nz.
For more information, please contact:
Jacqui Humm
Ph: 07 872 0062 or 027 532 1760
Email: jacqui.humm@waipadc.govt.nz