A wetland planting project involving Featherston youth has won funding from Greater Wellington Regional Council as part of its Wairarapa Moana Catchment Community Restoration Fund.
The project, led by Featherston Youth Programme, will assist in filtering urban stormwater entering Donald's Creek which flows into Lake Wairarapa.
Youth programme leaders Reanne Tawharu and Brenden Saayman were pleased to receive the funding, a part-share of $15,000 annually allocated to community-led biodiversity projects by GWRC. The planting project is called "Reconnecting the community and Donald's Creek to Lake Wairarapa" and will be carried out over a three-year period starting in June.
Mr Saayman said eco-sourced native plants will be used to improve the native ecosystems around Donald's Creek and Lake Wairarapa.
"Having a site close to the town and local schools will allow us to include them in learning about these natural resources and also to contribute to the restoration work as well as making the connection between stream and lake," he said. "The project is about spreading the message that native ecosystems are really important and, by involving our youth in the restoration work, we enable them to connect to these valuable resources and feel a sense of pride in their achievements."
