Hawksbury Lagoon update March 2021

It was a pleasure to have had a group of first year university students out to work on conservation projects as part of orientation week (its not all about toga parties and drink!!). There were 50 students in total, so we had half work with the Rivercare group clearing around plantings at the Waka Landing site and the other half of the group clearing around plantings at the Inverary Reserve. 

Students from Arana College

It was not an easy task, but they worked hard and have made quite a difference to the plantings, freeing them of long grass and the dreaded Convolvulus. The students were mostly embarking on a career in medicine they told us. I suggested Public Health might be a growth area for them to consider. 

It is a great opportunity for us in the community to get to meet enthusiastic and future focused young people. We are also expecting to have our Ki Uta Ki Tai planting days continuing this year in the autumn and the spring, after the hiccup of last year, this is another opportunity to meet with young people and help spark an interest in conservation for the next generation. Anyone from the community is always welcome to join in these planting days and we will post information on our website and in this column once we have confirmation of dates.

To the person who cut down the large Macracarpa on the Lagoon Reserve, our committee was shocked by the audacity of your actions and the damage you have caused to the Reserve. Simply unbelievable. DOC will be following up in coming days. 

The AGM for the Hawksbury Lagoon Society will be held on Thursday 25th March @ 7.30pm in the new museum building. Our guest speaker will be Sandra Carlson speaking about growing up on the West Coast of NZ. The meeting will be followed by supper. Anyone with an interest in the lagoon is very welcome to attend.

Shirley McKewen

Chairperson