Tēnā koutou katoa
Last week, more than 30 year 5 and 6 students from Karitane and Waikouaiti schools in East Otago took part in a Planting Day just North of Waikouaiati, assisting Toitū Te Hakapupu: The Pleasant River Restoration Project.
As part of the project, a regionally significant wetland has been fenced off on a piece of private land to protect it from stock and the children helped plant over 100 native trees along the riverbank on this property.
They also learnt about the health of the river just before it enters the estuary. One of ORC’s Catchment Advisors, Jack Mathieson, spoke about stressors, such as increased levels of nutrients, sediment, heavy metals and pollution, how they accumulate at the bottom of the river and can impact the catchment, harming the flora and fauna.
The group did some water quality testing and saw some taoka (treasured) species in the river including kōura (crayfish) and tuna (eels).
The children also took part in a cultural health discussion with local mana whenua representative, Julia Rata-Te Raki.
Ka pai, kids! 👏 We really appreciate your mahi last week!
You can learn more about Toitū Te Hakapupu: Te Pleasant River Restoration Project at orc.govt.nz/tehakapupu
