CLEAN UP: The Mangatarere Stream is one Wairarapa waterway being restored by volunteers. PHOTO/FILE
CLEAN UP: The Mangatarere Stream is one Wairarapa waterway being restored by volunteers. PHOTO/FILE
A special discovery afternoon is being held to celebrate the third year of restoration work on the Mangatarere Stream.
The Mangatarere Restoration Society is inviting the public to join them in celebrating their success at 65A Connollys Line, Carterton, from 1pm to 3pm on Sunday, May 24.
Project co-ordinator EstherDijkstra said the event should appeal to everyone who has a passion for restoring Wairarapa's waterways.
"We hope that other landowners in the Mangatarere catchment will come along and be inspired by the work we have done. As a restoration society we are here to work with landowners so that as a community we can make an impact on our waterways by improving water quality and the amenity value of our stream environment."
The Mangatarere area is a flood plain containing natural springs, which has been planted with 500 mixed natives that are slowly replacing the existing willows. Sheep are used to graze this area to control pest weeds with the use of plant protectors and earthworks have been carried out to protect the erosion-prone banks.
The reserve is one of four areas in the Mangatarere catchment the society is working on. The others include Lynx Farm on Brooklyn Rd, Belvedere Bridge Reserve and Daleton Farm Wetland.
The event will kick off with a karakia for the springs and reserve, followed by community tree planting, a tree naming competition for kids and their parents, environmental displays and demonstrations.
Trust House Community Enterprise have donated $500 towards the community group tree planting.
