Wairarapa focus for Restoration Day

Restoration Day participants surrounded by native trees and bush at Fensham Reserve near Carterton during a fauna and flora assessment workshop at the site. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Up to 150 Wairarapa eco-warriors have joined together to hone skills and update technologies as part of the Greater Wellington Regional Council's 2016 Restoration Day.

Council biodiversity advisor Rebecca Bird said the weather had been perfect in Wairarapa on Saturday for Restoration Day, which is an annual event that had run most years over the past two decades.

"The point this year was to bring Restoration Day back over to Wairarapa and celebrate some of the successes and longer-term projects that have been running in the region, and to invite new people to become involved and see what they could help create in the future," she said.

"It's an event as well where a number of partners including NGOs, councils and government agencies get together to run the day as a way of recognising the amazing work of our volunteer community restoration groups throughout the wider Wellington region."

Ms Bird said three field trip workshops were held last Saturday, including the Mangatarere Restoration Society Freshwater Critters and Habitats Workshops at Connolly's Line, Carterton; the Wetland Workshops at Wairio wetlands, Parera Rd, Martinborough; and the fauna and flora assessment workshops at Fensham Reserve, Carterton.

A fourth indoor workshop was also held at the Carterton Events Centre titled Community Restoration Essentials, which focused on keeping restoration groups resilient, recruitment and collaboration with other groups.

The aim is to allow community groups to network, learn and share concepts with each other and to learn about projects in other parts of the region to which they may not be connected.

The Mangatarere Restoration Society hosted a workshop partly focused on fish habitat and spawning sites. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

"Also, to upskill them and familiarise them with the latest innovations, approaches and techniques that might help them to reach their restoration goals more efficiently and effectively."

Ms Bird said the day was "very successful" and the sunshine had been brilliant throughout the duration of the workshops despite forecasts for rain.