Eight environmental projects make up the $380,500 of funding allocated under the Waitākere Ranges Local Board’s Environmental work.
The projects include ongoing programmes that contribute towards the protection and enhancement of the Waitākere Ranges Local Board Heritage Area as a reservoir of native flora and fauna.
Board chair Greg Presland says enabling community environmental work is a critical priority for the board.
“One of our largest allocations is $95,000 for the Pest Free Waitakere Ranges Alliance (PFWRA) coordinator,” he says.
“This funding will enable the coordinator to continue resourcing and connecting community ecological restoration efforts across the Waitākere Ranges, and work with staff across various council groups to help align council and community restoration activities.
“A geographic mapping project will also be enabled by the funding as a foundation step for working towards predator free status.
“The protection and enhancing of local native biodiversity and wildlife is a critical priority for the board as we work to protect the ranges as a local and national taonga.”
The ongoing Weed Action Project (Our Backyard) received $95,000. Funded by the board since 2014, the weed management initiative focuses on invasive weeds on privately-owned properties including in Huia, Anawhata, Karekare, Piha and Cornwallis.
It also aims to promote a community behaviour change towards an understanding of shared responsibility for managing environmental weeds in the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area.
Programmes run by EcoMatters Environment Trust received $86,000, including for the Love Your Place environmental champion recognition awards specifically celebrating action undertaken in the Waitākere Ranges Local Board area.
Further EcoMatters programmes enabled by the funding include community nurseries, the EcoFest West Festival and Love Your Neighbourhood grants.
The South Titirangi Restoration Project, which supports the South Titirangi Neighbourhood Network community group to control pest plants on private properties, was allocated $15,000.
“This ongoing work, like with many of our supported programmes, contributes to the improvement of biodiversity and progress towards our pest-free goals in the area,” Presland says.
As a member board of the Manukau Harbour Forum, the funding includes a $11,000 contribution to the co-funding of the forum.
“As one of the nine boards bordering the harbour we are committed to joining with the eight other boards to protect and enhance the mauri of a precious asset,” Presland says.
The work programme also includes $40,000 for a Climate Action Activator to support and enable community climate action and $3,500 for kerbside recycling collections for community-use buildings in Piha.
Finally, $35,000 was allocated for additional animal management support for west coast beach areas for better dog rule compliance and improved native wildlife protection outcomes.
These ongoing programmes contribute towards the delivery of the Waitakere Ranges Local Board Plan 2023.
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