We are privileged to share our neighbourhoods with diverse landscapes and ecosystems, from beaches and forests to wetlands and hilltops. Be inspired by these five community groups and organisations which are supported by Ōrākei Local Board, and see how you can make a difference to the environment by joining them!
1. Adopt a Drain
Locals helping to keep stormwater flowing
Communities can help prepare for weather events in the form of “adopting” their nearest stormwater drain. Adopters give their drain some basic TLC by clearing leaves and litter from around the inlet. They’re also encouraged to ring council when it needs extra attention. While council contractors regular service all drains, this helps them to prioritise locations that might need out-of-schedule care.
How can you get involved? Be a “grate mate” and visit the neighbourhood support website to sign up and adopt your closest drain.
Adopt A Drain
2. Eastern Bays Songbird Project
Protecting our ecosystems for native birdlife by reducing pests
Eastern Bays Songbird Project is a community organisation leading pest and weed control efforts in parks, as well as distributing locals with traps to use on their own properties. Keeping pest numbers down gives native plants and birds a better chance of thriving. The project also carries out bird monitoring in parks and reserves.
How can you get involved? If you’re interested in trapping or weeding, get in touch with Eastern Bays Songbird Project via their website.
3.Waiatarua Protection Society
Enhancing Waiatarua Wetlands through trapping and planting
The Waiatarua Protection Society started nearly 20 years ago. It aims to build on the success of past restoration efforts by planting natives and reducing pests within Waiatarua Reserve. This provides a healthy habitat and year-round food supply for New Zealand's native birds and insects. The community group is also keen to educate the community on the importance of local biodiversity, initiating the installation of signs in the reserve which identify native wildlife.
How can you get involved? Contact Waiatarua Protection Society via their website to find dates for the next planting or pest control volunteer day.
Community planting day at Churchill Park.
4. From the Deck
Giving Middleton Stream a helping hand to improve water quality
This community group removes rubbish and debris from Newmarket’s Middleton Stream, which would otherwise block the stream or end up polluting the ocean. Middleton Stream feeds into Hobson Bay, and they want our harbour to keep sparkling! The group has also planted thousands of native trees in the past eight years and carries out pest and weed control. Their goal is to unite the community in working together to clean the stream and create an oasis of bird and plant life in the city.
How can you get involved? Email Penny Hansen to enquire about joining volunteer efforts for the restoration of Middleton Stream.
5. Friends of Churchill Park
Restoring native biodiversity in Glendowie’s largest park
The Friends of Churchill Park work with council to actively champion the restoration of habitats for native biodiversity in the park. They carry out tree planting projects, hold working bees to remove invasive weeds, and maintain a pest control line.
How can you get involved? New members are most welcome, see www.churchillpark.nz for more information or email possums@songbird.org.nz to find out the date for their next working bee.