Waikanae Estuary Care Group Open Day

Join us at this year’s Open Day and you could also end up spending a night on Kapiti Island.

The Waikanae Estuary Care Group’s annual open day is on Saturday 29 May at the Manly Street entrance to the estuary and once again Kapiti Island Alive have kindly donated an overnight stay for two at their Kapiti Island Nature Lodge.

When: Saturday 29 May 2010, from 9am
Where: Manly Street Estuary entrance, Paraparaumu – look for the flag

Bring wet weather gear, sturdy footwear and gloves and be in the draw to win some great prizes, including an overnight stay at the Kapiti Island Nature Lodge, DOC’s Plant Me Instead guide, and native plants

“We’re really grateful for Kapiti Island Alive’s support of our open day, given the close connection between the estuary and Kapiti Island and our vision of creating a corridor for native birds to travel from Kapiti Island to the Tararua ranges,” care group chairperson Jeff Eaton says.

The Waikanae Estuary Care Group was formed in late 2004. It has carried out many restorative plantings and working bees within the Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve, a nationally significant wetland.

Jeff says the Open Day is an opportunity for the group to share its successes – last year it won Greater Wellington’s Rata Community Partnership Award with judges noting the passion and persistence of its volunteers - as well as to inform and educate the public about the importance of the estuary.

“The Open Day is a chance to encourage more locals to join us and help us achieve our vision.

“What we’re doing now will have benefits for our native plants, birds and fish but also it’s improving the estuary as an amenity for people to enjoy. After all, the estuary is our backyard.”

The day starts at 9am with the planting of native trees and shrubs, before a morning tea, a walk and talk about the pest animal monitoring work currently taking place in the estuary and what local residents can do to reduce the impact of pest animals in the scientific reserve. There’s also a lunch-time barbeque and prize draw.

The Waikanae Estuary Care Group is supported by Department of Conservation, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Kapiti Coast District Council and Ministry for the Environment. Visit www.gw.govt.nz/waikanaeestuary