20th Restoration Day to laud successes

Restoration groups, like those involved with kakahi (native freshwater mussel) sampling at Lake Wairarapa, are invited to register for the 20th Annual Restoration Day. PHOTO/FILE

The 20th annual Restoration Day event, facilitated by Greater Wellington, will be held at the Carterton Events Centre next month, the first time it has been held in Wairarapa since 2007.

Biodiversity adviser Rebecca Bird said Restoration Day is an opportunity for members of restoration groups in the Wellington Region to upskill, develop professionally, and learn from experts in the field.

"This year, because it is the 20th Restoration Day, we've purposefully designed our theme around resilient restoration," she said. "It's a chance for groups to network, to share their successes and struggles, and to learn new information about innovation, best practices, and techniques.

"It's also a chance to learn and ask questions of the experts in the field."

Some Wairarapa groups who have been invited to register for the event include South Wairarapa Biodiversity Group, Friends of Onoke Spit, Mangaterere Restoration Society, and the Carter Reserve team.

"Learning from Wairarapa is really important for our groups back over the hill, so I think that's one of the key things, to facilitate that exchange of knowledge. It's an exciting outcome for us."

The Restoration Day programme will include field trips around Wairarapa, and indoor workshops at the Carterton Events Centre, centred around keeping community restoration groups resilient.

"One of the focuses for workshops will be learning how to attract, reach, and retain new members for conservation groups in the digital age," Ms Bird said. "Also because this is the 20th Restoration Day, we want to have a bit of a reflection and look back at what has been achieved by various restoration groups around the region, and also what volunteers have managed to achieve because it helps inform us on what we might do in the future."

Restoration Day will be held on May 21, which also happens to be International Migratory Fish Day. Interested restoration groups can register at www.naturespace.org.nz/wellington-restoration-day-2016.