Rural Women New Zealand Alex Eagles-Tully

The constant negative news about our changing climate, polluted water and declining wildlife can sometimes feel overwhelming and people who want to make a positive difference are often left feeling powerless and undirected.

However, Western Bay of Plenty Rural Women NZ is offering an opportunity for anyone interested to help the environment.

World Environment Day is observed globally on June 5 and this year’s theme is ecosystem restoration.

To celebrate we are starting up a Waimapu River catchment care group (an area which extends from Pyes Pa to Ohauiti) as one way towards restoring our local ecosystem.

As a first step the group are joining forces with the Lions Tree Grove project, which has been restoring the natural ecosystem by planting in Pyes Pa at TECT Park since 2011.

If you would like to join in, planting days for this month will be held on June 9 and 26. Those interested can meet from 10am at the Lions’ shed beside Adrenalin Forest.

Of course RWNZ has been concerned with protecting our environment since the charitable organisation started in 1925. Numerous members around the country continue to take the lead in helping to restore natural ecosystems.

For example, her own interest in the environment led former RWNZ president, Fiona Gower, to represent RWNZ on the NZ Landcare Trust including being chair for two years.

She explains that the aim of NZLT “is to facilitate environmental issues between the community, the landowners, local bodies and government organisations”.

Fiona, who lives on a sheep and beef farm in the Waikato, says, “In my experience people who farm usually do so because they have an affinity with the natural environment.”

Fiona says she is proud of the plans NZLT has helped put into place and how “these are making a significant impact on environmental issues in our country.”

If you would like to help RWNZ continue the tradition of nurturing mother nature through the Waimapu catchment care group please contact us on: rwnztauranga@gmail.com or follow us @rwnztauranga on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to find out more.