Rosewill Valley Field Day 4th May 2025

Waitarakao Lagoon is a special place with rare geomorphology, native ecological habitats, biodiversity and cultural and historical values. The lagoon and the streams which run into it are significantly impacted by current and historic land uses, especially coastal modifications and clearance of vegetation for agriculture. Despite this, opportunities for restoration abound with a wide diversity of native fish species, including Canterbury mudfish, banded kōkopu, inanga, and short and long-fin tuna (eels).

As part of the action happening on the ground, a field day was held on the farms of Andrew and Vicki Steven and Ben and Kate Johnson, to showcase work being done on the ground to improve the health of land and water as part of the Our Waitarakao Project. 

We highlighted the benefits of community-led initiatives, with fencing waterways, planting natives, controlling weeds, sediment control and soil conservation, and predator trapping underway in various areas. Environmental management takes…