A
series of biodiversity projects has improved awareness of
the special values of streams and rivers throughout WIL’s
catchment area.
Biodiversity project lead Dan Cameron
says knowledge and understanding of the land and water
contained within WIL’s command area has grown
exponentially since the initial biodiversity stock take of
the scheme identified 297 sites of interest in
2018.
“We also identified four lowland freshwater
stream systems, three of which were not widely
known.”
Seven projects have been started across four
lowland stream catchments across the scheme, including two
projects at Cust River, three projects at Burgess Stream and
one project each at Old Eyre and Hunters
streams.
Planting work started last week on one of the
Burgess Stream projects; the first stage in a series of
linked projects which aim to restore the length of the
stream.
“Burgess Stream has presented us with a
fantastic opportunity for WIL shareholders to enable
catchment-scale restoration right from the beginning. While
there have been many learnings along the way, it’s very
exciting to be seeing everybody’s efforts turning the
vision into a reality
Work on Burgess Stream will
protect the important values around the spring head and the
area further downstream where the water leaves the WIL
catchment area and flows through lifestyle
blocks.
“It’s the perfect opportunity for the
wider community to see the value in the work we are doing to
protect the environment as the waterway literally flows
through their properties.”
All shareholders Dan has
worked with now have biodiversity plans in place that enable
them to comply with regulatory requirements around
biodiversity and freshwater. These plans also provide
evidence of shareholders’ environmental guardianship and a
willingness to be proactive in terms of enhancing streams
and waterways on or near landowner’s
properties.
“Landowners can also use this
documentation to apply for funding from other sources to
continue on with their environmental improvement projects
on-farm, so the biodiversity plans are useful for a myriad
of different purposes. Some landowners have been able to
secure up to 50 per cent of the funding required for their
projects.
“The biodiversity plans also help to
identify action points which can be woven into an FEP such
as planting and stock exclusion which can deal with point
source issues.”
Dan says that based on what he has
seen throughout the entire scheme, WIL is truly leading the
way in terms of the holistic approach it is taking to
enhancing biodiversity and improving the ecological values
of land and waterways in its catchment area.
“It is
really impressive to see everyone from shareholders to staff
and board members all working collectively to restore and
enhance the environment. We are also building strong
community relationships and providing hands-on learning
opportunities for Waimakariri school children through our
community outreach project with West Eyreton
School.”
Shareholders who would like assistance with
putting together a biodiversity plan for their property can
contact Dan via email –
dan@terracentric.co.nz