Catchment Care
Catchment Care project aims to improve water quality
Conservation Volunteers New Zealand (CVNZ) and Fonterra have recently signed a partnership agreement to help CVNZ volunteers support significant conservation projects across New Zealand.
The new initiative, named ‘Catchment Care’ will see Fonterra providing support for projects that have a riparian or wetland focus, in areas where dairying is a significant industry over the next three years.
Conservation Volunteers Dave Sharp, National Programs Manager, says they’ll be working alongside local Councils and the Department of Conservation to identify suitable projects to work on.
“While most projects have the funding for the plants or infrastructure required, many don’t allow for the actual labour required to carry out the work, this is where CVNZ volunteers step in and deliver the manpower.”
Fonterra’s Sustainable Production Manager, John Hutchings, says waterways are relevant and vital to all Fonterra stakeholders, both rural and urban, and in the communities they operate in.
“It makes sense for us to support water catchment projects given the importance of water quality for all New Zealanders, we’re very clearly focused on sustainability - through this project we can not only have a positive impact on water quality, but also on bio-diversity, while ensuring the areas around our waterways are well maintained spaces New Zealanders can enjoy.”
Initial projects, starting in October, will focus on the Shallow Lakes in the Waikato, and the Waimakariri River Regional Park in Canterbury on October 31. Help will also be available for smaller projects with a similar ‘water’ focus, both ‘on-farm’ and ‘off-farm’.
For more information or to get involved visit www.catchmentcare.co.nz