August Newsletter 2024
From rural landscapes to urban neighbourhoods, local groups are keeping busy this winter season, making moves to restore the environment and protect local waterways.
We’ve got heaps to share in this month’s newsletter, including:
- a look into the mahi local groups are undertaking
- our first microplastics lab session at WAI
- removing 1 tonne of rubbish near the Ōrau / Cardrona River
- natural capital 101: what it is and why it matters
Local groups making moves
It’s been an action-packed winter for rural and urban groups of the Upper Clutha. We’ve been on a mission to support their efforts, working together towards common goals.
The Maungawera Biodiversity Group and the Beacon Point Restoration Group have been busy in their respective areas with rabbit control efforts, including rabbit fencing along native planting zones.
Although some may refer to them as cute and fluffy, rabbits are a serious threat to both native biodiversity and water quality. Click here to read more about the impacts of rabbits and how local groups are tackling this issue.
DID YOU KNOW? Rabbits as young as five months old can have up to 50 offspring per year!
“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”
– E. E. Hale
A big thank-you to MPI, ORC, QLDC, Otago Community Catchments, Otago Community Trust and Patagonia NZ for supporting our work with local groups, as well as local organisations Te Kākano Aotearoa Trust, Wānaka Backyard Trapping, the Upper Clutha Wilding Tree Group and the Wānaka Community Workshop for their mahi in this space.
Our first microplastics lab session
Our first microplastics lab session kicked off last month during Plastic Free July. Eight volunteers joined us for a morning of microscope mahi, identifying and counting microplastics from water samples we collected from the Ōrau / Cardrona River and the Outlet (Lake Wānaka).
Big thanks to marine scientist / A Teeny Tiny Truth research lead, Veronica Rotman, for joining in and helping out with this session.
“Really good session, I will be back again!” – WAI volunteer
Keen to get involved in our next lab session? Email us at getinvolved@waiwanaka.nz.
This work is made possible thanks to the ongoing support of the Otago Participatory Science Programme.
Plastic found in deceased pūteketeke
Speaking of plastic in our water, did you catch the article in the Otago Daily Times or Crux News about the pūteketeke (Australasian crested grebe) found dead along the shore of Lake Wānaka?
Upon examination, two large pieces of plastic were found within the grebe’s gizzard / digestive tract.
A stark reminder that plastic doesn’t disappear from our environment – instead it breaks down over time, spreading more easily into our water and infiltrating the lake’s food chain.
Whether it’s picking up one piece of rubbish during your daily walk, attending our monthly beach clean-ups, or donating to WAI, every effort counts. Big thanks to the Lake Wānaka Grebe Project for helping spread this message, as well as the work they do to protect these special water birds.
Photo of local pūteketeke on nest by J.Tuffin; Photo of plastic found in grebe’s gizzard by Petrina Duncan.
Citizen Science projects gaining momentum
What exactly is citizen science? Why is it important? How can you get involved?
The term has been gaining popularity in the last decade, and for good reason! Find the answers to these common questions in our blog: Citizen Science: Join the Research Revolution.
At our recent Cleaning up the Cardrona event we collected over 1 tonne (1000kgs!) of rubbish from around the Ōrau / Cardrona river alongside 55 volunteers.
During the clean-up, we conducted a litter audit within a 100m x 20m zone, which feeds into the nation-wide Litter Intelligence programme. We collected and recorded 272 items within the zone. 61% was plastic, primarily food and snack wrappers.
Read more about the clean-up here.
Our citizen science initiatives are made possible with the support of Central Lakes Trust, Otago Community Trust, Lotteries, Love Wānaka, QLDC, The Lion Foundation and community donors.
How do you value nature?
Have you heard of the term natural capital? It refers to the earth’s stock of natural assets, such as forests, freshwater and soil, which provide vital services that keep us alive and healthy. These services, commonly referred to as ecosystem services, are often taken for granted or seen as ‘free’.
Understanding natural capital and the importance of ecosystem services helps us see the true worth of nature’s benefits, from clean air and drinking water to flood protection. It also encourages decision-makers to better balance environmental and economic considerations.
We’re currently working alongside Castalia Advisors and Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research to dive deeper into the concept of natural capital and how it can be applied locally, here in the Upper Clutha.
Curious to learn more? Check out part one of our three-part blog series on natural captial, now live on our website.
This work is made possible thanks to the generous support of a private donor of our community.
1000 beach trees to be planted at Spotts Creek Station
Local landowners Hamish and Anna Mackay of Spotts Creek Station have committed to planting 1000 beech trees this spring on their property in the Cardrona Valley.
Spotts Creek Station’s isn’t new to native reforestation. Their latest effort builds on a history of planting projects, many of which were part of our Jobs for Nature programme (2020-2023).
We are proud to support Upper Clutha landowners like Hamish and Anna through our On-Farm Environmental Support programme, funded by MPI. Learn more about the programme here.
Freshwater news, recommended podcasts and more.
Article: People power: Inside the world of citizen science (The Post / Stuff NZ)
Article: NZ study finds airborne microplastics directly impact climate change (University of Canterbury)
Short Video: What are ecosystem services? (Eurac Research)
Short Video: Green Infrastructure for runoff (Tedx Talks)
Article: Linking soil quality indicators to land use pressure and water quality (Our Land and Water)
Resource: Free training modules for farm advisors (Our Land and Water)
Event: Air quality drop-in session in Wānaka (ORC)
Kā mihi nui!
We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from our community who help make our work possible. Each newsletter, we’ll use this space to shine a light on two local contributors:
The Warbirds Trust & Criffel Station
We wish to thank Criffel Station, who generously donated $1 for every motorhome parked at the Warbirds over Wānaka event this year, as well as The Warbirds Trust, who kindly matched the above donation.
Mitre 10 Mega Wānaka
Staff from Mitre 10 held a ‘sausage and burger sizzle’ event in June to celebrate their 50th birthday and raise funds for WAI. Thank-you to the team for their ongoing support with volunteering, fundraising, and sponsorship towards our Drains are Streams programme!
If you would like to donate or fundraise for WAI Wānaka, click here, or get in touch with us through email. We would love to hear from you!
Get involved in our upcoming events
20 August 1pm-3pm: Beach clean-up & water quality session at Waterfall Creek
4 September 4:30pm-5:30pm: Get Your Feet Wet session at Stoney Creek
20 September 3pm-5pm: Beach clean-up at Bremner Bay
21 September: Working bee with the Beacon Point Restoration Group, Te Kākano, Wānaka Backyard Trapping, the Upper Clutha Wilding Tree Group and QLDC – stay tuned for details!