Tag: Working Group

Next in our working group profiles is Alice Boyce. Alice is one of the Networks’ biggest cheerleaders! Over to you, Alice!

I have Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and I am fully confined to a wheelchair. Always remember I was here first and the MS crashed my party. Nothing is insurmountable.

What inspired you to become part of the Wairau Nature Network (WNN)?

I was inspired to become part of the Wairau Nature Network because I care about protecting and appreciating our local environment. I also wanted to connect with others who share a passion for nature and making a positive difference in our community.

What do you think is the biggest environmental challenge Wairau faces?

Marlborough faces major environmental challenges, including water pollution, biodiversity loss, climate change, and pressure on rivers and coastal areas from farming and development. Protecting, planting natural habitats and managing water resources sustainably will be essential for the region’s future.

What is an achievement of WNN which makes you proud?

The WNN group is fantastic to be part of. The group is all encompassing. Teamwork at WNN brings people together, combining skills, ideas, and passion to protect and enhance our natural environment.

How do you see the role of community partnership in restoring and protecting our local ecosystems?

Community enhances WNN by bringing people together to share knowledge, ideas, and a passion for protecting nature. By working together, the community can create stronger connections and make a greater positive impact on the environment.

What makes your connection so special to the Wairau area?

I was born and grew up in Blenheim. The Wairau area is very special to me because it is a beautiful place where I feel connected to nature, the community, and the people around me. I value its peaceful surroundings, strong sense of community, and the opportunity to help protect and enjoy Marlborough.

Back to profiling our working group members – meet Wendy Sullivan, our Project coordinator. Wendy is passionate about connecting people, sharing knowledge and finding practical ways to make environmental restoration part of everyday life. 

What inspired you to become involved in the Wairau Nature Network?

I love that the Network is focused on collaboration across the landscape rather than working in isolation. Unfortunately, because of the funding environment, I sometimes sense a competitiveness between conservation efforts – people can end up competing for the same limited resources! The Network breaks those down – your neighbour’s win is everybody’s win.

What’s the biggest environmental challenge you think the Wairau catchment faces right now?

Climate change will have the biggest impact. We’re already seeing more extreme weather events, but the speed of climate change is just as concerning. Ecosystems have evolved to respond to gradual change, and the pace we’re seeing may be too fast for many species and ecosystems to adapt. The global scale of the problem can also feel overwhelming, leaving people feeling there’s nothing they can do. But if we can be world champions in rugby, why can’t we aim to be world leaders in climate mitigation?

Can you share a project or achievement from the network that you are most proud of?

Seeing it grow from an idea, to a project with over 200 supporters, hosting two impactful websites (Wairau Information Hub | Tamata and Wairau EcoMap | Haumi ) …. and eaves dropping people connecting and collaborating over a spade!

How do you see the role of community partnerships in restoring and protecting local ecosystems?

I think they’re absolutely fundamental. No single organisation owns or can solve the environmental challenges of a whole catchment. Landowners, iwi, community groups, schools, businesses, councils, agencies and volunteers all bring different knowledge, resources and connections.

The Network is really about making those connections stronger, bringing the right people together, sharing knowledge or helping someone get a project started. When people feel that they’re part of something bigger, I think you get much more lasting change.

What is your personal connection to the Wairau area – what makes it so special to you?

I love its vastness! Standing on a mountain overlooking majestic ranges, rolling high country and patchwork plains. There is an enormous opportunity to bring more native vegetation and biodiversity back into the landscape, and I find it really motivating to be part of that.

We are very lucky to have Xander on our working group, and he brings not only his enthusiasm (obsession?) for plants but his energy and drive to the team. Meet Xander:

What inspired you to become involved in the Wairau Nature Network?
The Wairau is the artery of Marlborough, this unique and amazing place we all get to call home. Its health reflects the health of everything around it: the land, the people, the birds and the bees. I wanted to be part of something that sees the catchment as a whole living system, not just a series of isolated problems to fix.

What’s the biggest environmental challenge you think the Wairau catchment faces right now?
The hardest challenge is one of imagination. We tend to see land as parcels; yours, mine, the council’s, DOC’s. But a catchment doesn’t work that way. Water doesn’t stop at a fence line. Native birds don’t read property titles. The biggest challenge is shifting from a title-by-title mindset to a landscape-scale one. It’s as much about people and relationships as it is about ecology.

Can you share a project or achievement from the network that you are most proud of?
As the native plant manager for Trees for Marlborough, I’m a bit biased! Growing locally sourced native plants which were then planted locally by locals (and the Selmes volunteers) was a real highlight for me.

How do you see the role of community partnerships in restoring and protecting local ecosystems?
One landowner planting a few hundred natives is great. A network of landowners, a community nursery, and council working together across a whole catchment – that’s landscape-scale restoration! Partnerships let us share knowledge, share costs, and avoid duplicating effort. None of us has the resources to do this alone. Together, we actually have a chance.

What is your personal connection to the Wairau area – what makes it so special to you?
I arrived here by chance almost four years ago. Pretty much stumbled into the Wairau without any prior thought other than a simple job offer. But there’s something special about this place that I just can’t put my finger on. Maybe it’s because it’s the longest continuously inhabited settlement in the country. Or maybe it’s just the sheer overwhelming beauty of this place. I don’t know what it is, but I’m drawn to it, and I don’t intend to leave.

Another powerhouse of our working group is Nic Dann. Nic can always be relied on to make things happen and tends to shy away from the spotlight – but not this time, Nic!

What inspired you to become involved in the Wairau Nature Network?

Having a passion for the continuous enhancement of our natural environment led me to Wairau Nature Network. I love the idea of providing habitat for our song birds and the loveable Kereru across the Wairau plain.

What’s the biggest environmental challenge you think the Wairau catchment faces right now?

With so few areas of land available to create native trees, we need a community response to fulfill the vision of hearing and seeing our native birds, invertebrates, lizards on the Wither Hills and beyond into South Marlborough. I’m optimistic that we can all do a little, and often to achieve this lofty goal.

Can you share a project or achievement from the network that you are most proud of?

The Wairau Nature Network has been extremely collaborative with the Marlborough community, and I’ve been so excited to see a huge diversity of people wanting to lend a hand and support projects. I’m most grateful for businesses, vineyards, small landowners and the Council for looking at spare corners of land and committing to creating biodiversity.

What is your personal connection to the Wairau area – what makes it so special to you?

I’ve lived in Marlborough for close to thirty years, and love the landscape, love the outdoor opportunities, and love the people that make this region so special. 

We are incredibly fortunate to have Alistair Bull with us. Alistair is not only a skilled ecologist but also a talented web developer and the creator of our Wairau Information Hub | Tāmata.
Al, the spotlight is on you!

What inspired you to become involved in the Wairau Nature Network?

A lifetime of interest in the outdoors and spending time in nature has made me very aware of the impacts on the environment. The Wairau valley is unique with higher rainfall on the Northbank ranges and drier to the south, offering climates and habitats for a diverse range of species. I’m excited to contribute to a future where the catchment is reconnected with native flora and fauna being able to move freely across the landscape.

What’s the biggest environmental challenge you think the Wairau catchment faces right now?

A history of land use change, removing native flora in favour of increased productive land, has led to the loss of much of the birdlife across the catchment, with some species almost disappearing entirely.

Can you share a project or achievement from the network that you are most proud of?

The time spent creating an organisation that has a sustainable, long-term future is important. Our goals looking decades into the future align with the timescales of regeneration. The ongoing collation and creation of information resources on our website for landowners and local groups to help with their restoration projects is a great tool.

I am excited about getting started on planting at our first WNN restoration site at Thomsons Ford Reserve.

How do you see the role of community partnerships in restoring and protecting local ecosystems?

No one person or small group is capable of reaching our goals of increasing biodiversity across the entire catchment. Communities working on their local environment and networking with other groups across the catchment to support and share knowledge and resources are critical to the success of the project.

What is your personal connection to the Wairau area – what makes it so special to you?

Having lived in the Wairau for 20 years, I have explored many corners of the landscape, from the peaks of the Richmond ranges, the beaches and the Wairau River itself while also spending a lot of time in the Marlborough Sounds. I would love to see the bird life we see in the Sounds encouraged back into the Wairau.

The Wairau Nature Network working group is powered by people who have an immense wealth of experience. Next in our profile series is Helen Braithwaite, a true stalwart of nature whose behind-the-scenes efforts keep things moving without fuss.

What inspired you to become involved in the Wairau Nature Network?

I am involved with Forest & Bird and a few other local environmental projects and it seemed like a good idea to connect the people and projects via a green corridor.

What’s the biggest environmental challenge you think the Wairau catchment faces right now?

Apart from climate change and water issues that are universal challenges, the Wairau has a lack of the original lowland native vegetation along the awa – both as seed sources and tree cover.

Can you share a project or achievement from the network that you are most proud of?

WNN now has a website and a map that can hold information and help individuals and groups to restore native vegetation and species.

How do you see the role of community partnerships in restoring and protecting local ecosystems?

Partnerships are vital to achieve widespread restoration, as no one person or organisation can achieve this on their own. By developing partnerships, progress can be maintained, not being dependent on just a few individuals or one funding source.

What is your personal connection to the Wairau area – what makes it so special to you?

My partner and I chose to move to Marlborough as we love the area. The Wairau catchment has huge potential to reintroduce native biodiversity by working with people and organisations in the area.

The Wairau Nature Network working group is strengthened by people like Kristen Dempster, whose process-driven approach and sharp eye for detail help turn ideas into practical action.

What inspired you to become involved in the Wairau Nature Network?

There are a lot of exciting restoration projects happening in the Wairau Catchment, and it’s great to have a network for connecting people, sharing enthusiasm, knowledge, and resources within the community.

What’s the biggest environmental challenge you think the Wairau Catchment faces right now?

In terms of habitat restoration, there’s fragmentation between pockets of indigenous vegetation and restoration projects. The Network’s interactive mapping tool illustrates this. The Network provides support for increasing ecological stepping stones between these established and establishing sites.

Can you share a project or achievement from the network that you are most proud of?

The Network has achieved a lot since its inception, including regular workshops and the mapping tool. The website is a great resource for anyone interested in restoration planting. Strengthening existing community networks and creating opportunities for more people to get involved is the best achievement.

How do you see the role of community partnerships in restoring and protecting local ecosystems?

Community partnerships are key to restoring local habitats. There are lots of community-led restoration projects. The Network provides a hub in the Wairau Catchment to support anyone who wants to be involved.

What is your personal connection to the Wairua area – what makes it so special to you?

The hills. The landscapes of the Wither Hills and Richmond Ranges are beautiful and are great for recreation.

The Wairau Nature Network thrives thanks to a dedicated team of passionate community members – and it’s time to celebrate the people behind the mahi. First up in our profile series is Angela Wentworth, whose commitment to nature and community is inspiring.

What inspired you to become involved in the Wairau Nature Network?

As an environmental educator for Marlborough District Council, I work with tamariki and rangatahi who really care about the environment. They notice things – fewer birds in their playgrounds, rubbish in their awa – and they want to do something about it.

I joined the Wairau Nature Network because it’s a great way to connect schools with the amazing people and groups already taking action and be part of a community effort to restore the health and biodiversity of the Wairau.

What’s the biggest environmental challenge you think the Wairau catchment faces right now?

One of the biggest challenges isn’t unique to Wairau, it’s the loss of connection with nature. When we give young people the chance to learn in nature and discover how incredible it is, that connection grows and they become its biggest advocates.

Can you share a project or achievement from the network that you are most proud of?

I’m proud of all that the Network has achieved so far. It’s no small feat to have come from one idea and a meeting to gauge interest to now having a committee, hosting restoration workshops, and building an online hub full of tools, stories, and videos to help others start or strengthen their own restoration journeys. It’s been a huge, combined effort.

How do you see the role of community partnerships in restoring and protecting local ecosystems?

They’re so important. No single organisation can restore an entire catchment, it takes everyone. Community partnerships bring together local knowledge, energy, and a shared purpose to protect the places we all love.

What is your personal connection to the Wairau area – what makes it so special to you?

I love the variety of natural spaces here, the braided Wairau River, Whites Bay, Grovetown Lagoon, and the Wairau River Estuary. Each place has its own uniqueness. I especially love introducing children to these spaces and seeing their wonder and curiosity as they explore and learn outdoors.

Next up in our team spotlight is Julie Buunk. Julie was the first to join our working group!

What inspired you to become involved in the Wairau Nature Network?

As a keen tramper and ex-DOC field worker I’m drawn to natural places. I live on our family farm in the Fairhall area. My father started planting small areas of the farm in native trees and shrubs around the year 2000, these plants are now of a decent size. This got me thinking if one person working alone can produce such inspiring results then what would happen if people worked together across the district?

What’s the biggest environmental challenge you think the Wairau catchment faces right now?

The lack of indigenous biodiversity, the Wairau Catchment (in particular the lowland areas) is a highly modified productive landscape, in most cases spare spaces such as riparian strips are largely dominated by woody weeds and other invasive exotic species.

Can you share a project or achievement from the Network that you are most proud of?

I am very excited about the progress of the Wairau Nature Networks mapping program. When completed, this will allow members of the public to easily see where there is existing native vegetation, and how best to connect these areas with new plantings.

How do you see the role of community partnerships in restoring and protecting local ecosystems?

Vegetation restoration is hard work; the planting is really the easy part. By sharing the workload, not only can we achieve more, but it also creates a personal connection to the project. By neighbouring properties collaborating, communities sharing knowledge and even resources, we can effectively work together and start to connect native areas to form corridors or stepping stones across the landscape.

What makes the Wairau area so special to you?

I’m from two local farming families, born and raised on the plains. Within the generation before mine, any remaining native species were removed from the family farm. How amazing it would be to have these remnants still and protect them!

The peaks, ranges and side tributaries of the catchment are my tramping playground. An annual walk-in camping trip to a clearing beside a pristine river in the Richmond Ranges has become a tradition for my children to share with family friends.