Inspiring Vocational Visits

Hello Everyone,

Nathalie here.  I hope you are all doing well, either back home or our new Kiwi friends.  I have had a wonderful day (aren't they all!) but am particularly inspired from my Vocational Visits.  

Visit #1

This morning Laura and I met with Jill Greathead, business owner and local City Councillor who is actively involved in the Mangatarere Restoration Society. We were also joined by Esther from the Society and Anneke Wolterbeek from Greater Wellington Regional Council.

The Mangatarere Restoration Society (MRS) is a newly formed streamcare group that is working to improve the health of the Mangatarere Stream. We are volunteers from the community, farming, local industry and Iwi. We are currently developing a plan which will:

• support Greater Wellington Regional Council's Land and Environment Plans for landowners adjacent to the Mangatarere Stream. This includes providing community volunteers to assist with ecological restoration activities.

• implement environmental education campaigns encouraging the Carterton community to reduce stormwater discharges and ensure only rain enters our drains.

• work with local processing industries to adopt better wastewater management.

• develop methods to raise awareness and promote behavioural change via three paths: working with the community, working with farmers and working with local industry.

Laura and I enjoyed a wonderful tour around the Mangatarere catchment- seeing many parts of the river, its tributaries and races (man made ditches).  We were able to visit various restoration sites varying from 6 years to 6 months old.  All of the sites were on private land, the landowners being the initiators of the projects.  Generally the landowner is responsible for building a fence along the stream,  the local governments pay for the restoration materials and the Mangatarere volunteers do the planting and maintenance.  This system seems to be working very well.  We were very impressed with this volunteer base which allows the work to be done.  Good work people of Carterton and area!

Jill orienting us to the area

One race which has been fenced.  It has not yet had plantings done and the team is planning to have  planting done on one side but not the other in order to compare.

Visit #2

After lunch I went with my host father Stefen to visit his son Spencer Pallister at the Opaki school near Masterton.  This school blew my mind! Much due to Spencer's environmental interest and a supportive administration, this school has done an incredible job in promoting land care and sustainability with its students and community.

School Garden

School Water Tank

Opaki has done a river bank restoration project, turning this grassed, relatively lifeless stream into a lovely rest area complete with a few parking places, a picnic table and a message board.  The students in Spencer's class designed the area, choosing what plants should go where etc. and have helped with the planting and maintenance.  The town and regional council and local community members all supported the project   It is truly an amazing example of what a group of dedicated students and leadership at the school level can do!

Stream Before

Stream After

 On a more personal note, I was so excited to observe these kids out on their lunch break. Many were playing a game of touch rugby, groups could be seen in the trees climbing them and building forts, many weren't wearing shoes and everyone was having fun.  In terms of how schools can help connect kids to nature, this school has it all going on.

Space in the trees to play and relax.

Wood and tires are supplied for students to build forts with.

Thank you to Alastair and the entire Rotary club of Caterton who arranged for such a great day!  And for my manager David, if you have read this far, make a comment and I owe you a coffee!