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Riverton Estuary Care Society Inc.Fed by the Pourakino and Aparima rivers, the estuary is an integral part of the township of Riverton. Created to protect and promote the natural features of the Jacob's River Estuary, the Riverton Estuary Care Society Inc operates a number of projects on and around the estuary.  The principal of these is the 6 hectare flax wetland development sited at the northern entrance to the town. Te Wai Korari Wetland Reserve provides a sanctuary for myriads of whitebait and other native fishes, under threat elsewhere in the estuary from over fishing and habitat loss. The Society employs a contractor to continue the development of the reserve. Agencies such as World Wide Fund for Nature, Queen Elizabeth 2nd Trust, South Pacific Conservation and Development Trust and NZ Aluminium Smelters have generously funded and continue to support the project. Other smaller creek restoration projects have been ‘spawned’ by the work seen at the reserve and Riverton township has 4 other groups busy planting stream sides, building simple fish ladders and pressuring the local council to keep creeks clean and above ground. All of these projects provide opportunities for teachers and students to be actively involved in restoring habitats and improving the environment. Around the township, the society has created plantings of native trees, especially alongside of creeks leading into the estuary as part of their aim to improve habitat for native fauna. A nursery for the growing of native trees, shrubs and other useful plants is operated by members of the society. These plants are kept in shade houses in the Community Garden. A giant yellow fish mounted on a trailer featured in the town's Christmas parade at the time of the promotion of the 'Drains are for Rain' project. Participation in parades has been a hallmark of the group, which now has a store of masks, costumes and big models all with a 'watery' theme. The Estuary Festivals of 2001 and 2002 were very successful promotions for the values of the estuary and were enjoyed by large crowds. The Mudman race across the mud flats was a regular event for some years. NEWS 2009/10 Check out the Estuary Banners flying down the main street of Riverton- these were sponsored by Riverton Estuary Care and designed by year 10 students of Aparima College! Speaking at the national 'Dune Restoration Conference' in Invercargill in 2006 Robert was surprised and humbled to receive their annual National Coastal Restoration Project Award on behalf of the Riverton Estuary Care Group. Having the local work appreciated nationally in this way is a real credit to the Society and its associated groups, Aparima Pest Busters and Aparima Nursery Enterprises. Together they are making a real difference to our local coastal environment. Keep up the great work all of you- and those who aren't involved yet there is aways room for more volunteers in these 'award winning" projects. Project-Drains are for Rain. Yellow fish that were painted beside Rivertons stormwater drains, as part of an awareness programme run by the society some years ago, have worn off. We would like to revisit this project with the help of the SCES and extend it to more townships in our area. This will include an information mail drops to all households at the same time to raise the awareness that everything put in the drains goes directly into local waterways. We need a team of volunteers to work together to achieve this at times that suit them. Project report Te Wai Korari Wetland Reserve At present, the efforts of the Estuary Care group are directed toward creating a forest in the higher parts of the reserve, using cabbage trees and other robust native trees. The local schools and several small community groups are growing plants for the project and have helped to plant those trees that are presently growing up through the tough southern grasses. The society meets each 2nd Tuesday of the month at the South Coast Environment Centre. Contact details: Email: estuarycare@sces.org.nz South Coast Environment Society, 154 Palmerston Street, Riverton 9822, Southland, New Zealand |