Workshop on sustainability

Sustainable land management and biodiversity enhancement are the topics of a free workshop to be held on an award winning Whakamarama farm on Friday.
The workshop, which is open to all farmers, landowners and lifestyle block owners, will provide an opportunity to explore the benefits of sustainable land management and biodiversity enhancement, NZ Landcare Trust Kaimai Catchments Project Coordinator Kate Akers said.
"It is a unique opportunity to hear new information from a wide variety of sources at the farm of Godfrey and Margaret Mackersey.
The NZ Landcare Trust workshop, which is supported by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Ministry for the Environment's Sustainable Management Fund, will also mark the launch of NZ Landcare Trust's Guide to Sustainable Land Management.
The guide has been developed specifically for landowners in the Kaimai -Mamaku catchments region (the catchments draining from the Kaimai-Mamaku Ranges into Tauranga Harbour and the Waihou River).
"At the workshop we'll be providing a forum for landowners to hear about and discuss the information, funding, research, incentives and opportunities that are available for them to carry out sustainable land management and biodiversity enhancement initiatives."
"There are a number of effective steps that farmers can take to make a real difference to the long-term sustainability of their farm, improving both productivity and the farm's natural resources at the same time," said Ms Akers.
Ms Akers said there was a wide range of speakers on the day including farm managers who have experience with practising sustainable land management, soil conservation consultants, farm forestry and biodiversity protection representatives, land and resource management agency staff, and the director of Waikato University's Centre for Biodiversity and Ecology, Professor Bruce Clarkson.
Farm hosts Godfrey and Anne Mackersey will speak of their experiences with sustainable land management practices. Jim Coster farmer from Mangatotara will outline the community's role in the history of the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park.
Professor Bruce Clarkson, Director of the Centre for Biodiversity and Ecology, University of Waikato is to speak on the ecological benefits from riparian management and a vision for the Kaimai Range.
Norm Ngapo, soil conservation consultant with Waiora Soil Conservation Ltd will discuss sustainable earthworks and grazing practices on farms.
Donna Watchman, Te Puna catchment coordinator/land management officer - BOP Regional Council will outline a community project on private land - the Patirawa Stream Project - supported by the regional council.
The topic for Daryll Hall, senior land management officer - BOP Regional Council is sustainable land management and what it means for the community.
Gabrielle Walton, NZ Farm Forestry Association, will talk about farming from a farm forestry perspective.
Jar Wickham, policy analyst resource management - Western Bay of Plenty District Council will discuss how to gain subdivision rights from protecting native bush.
There will also be staffed information displays and factsheets available on funding, incentives, opportunities, and the latest research on sustainable land management and biodiversity enhancement practices; pest animal control - demonstrations of traps; sustainability issues relevant to homeowners, designers, builders and other community members from the Western Bay of Plenty/Tauranga Eco Design Advisor.
This free workshop will be held from 10am to 2pm in the woolshed on the farm property at 105 Odey Rd in Whakamarama. For more information contact Kate Akers on (07) 574 8310 or email kate.akers@landcare.org.nz