Landcare Okareka was formed in May 2003 and the main focus for the volunteers at that time was the Lake Okareka Walkway. Some public plantings had been carried out along the walkway in the previous winter, under Rotorua District Council guidance. The plantings were needing attention with weed control work and more plantings needed to be done. Local resident Joan Grace, assisted by Adrienne Grant from Department of Conservation, set up the Landcare Okareka steering committee. Over the years since then there have been changes to the steering committee members and an expansion in the numbers of volunteers who carry out work at Lake Okareka.
As time has gone on and the walkway plantings have been completed, the group has expanded it's working area to include many local reserves which are managed by either Rotorua District Council or Department of Conservation. Volunteers from Landcare Okareka still go back at least once a year to check all of the existing plantings to control any weeds that come up in the plantings. Over the years Landcare Okareka has received several awards in recognition of their efforts. Twice we have been recognised with a Trustpower and Rotoua District Council Award in the Heritage and Environment section. We have also been presented with a “Keep Rotorua Beautiful” award and in 2012-2013. Landcare Okareka was the Bay of Plenty regional winner of the “Weedbusters” award.
Landcare Okareka holds a Memorandum of Understanding with both Rotorua District Council and the Department of Conservation. It is also a registered Landcare Group with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and is in the process of negotiating a Biodiversity Management Plan with BOPRC. Through all of these contacts we have access to resources especially in terms of expertise, but also for plants and chemicals.
One of the highly visible areas that Landcare Okareka has worked in recently is the area around the pump station on the corner of Okareka Loop Road and Summit Road, for which we gained the 2012-2013 “Weedbusters” award. Take a look at the before, during and after photos (on the next page) and you will notice what a difference the volunteers from Landcare Okareka, with the assistance of Guy Gaddum Construction, Rotorua District Council (with plants and chemicals) and Bay of Plenty Regional Council (with plants) have made to this entrance to Lake Okareka settlement.
What were Landcare Okareka volunteers going to do on our last Working Bee?
We were going to shift gravel that Rotorua District Council had dropped over the fence earlier in the year, above Silver beach. The photo shows some of the guys busy filling wheelbarrows with the track gravel. If you go out on the Lake Okareka walkway you will see where we have been working. Many thanks to everyone who came to help. Over the next few months there will be some smaller plantings done around Lake Okareka and up at Tikitapu DOC reserve. We would love to have people come to help. Keep an eye out for the sign boards which will give you date, time and place or contact Sandra 362 8865 for further details.
As time has gone on and the walkway plantings have been completed, the group has expanded it's working area to include many local reserves which are managed by either Rotorua District Council or Department of Conservation. Volunteers from Landcare Okareka still go back at least once a year to check all of the existing plantings to control any weeds that come up in the plantings. Over the years Landcare Okareka has received several awards in recognition of their efforts. Twice we have been recognised with a Trustpower and Rotoua District Council Award in the Heritage and Environment section. We have also been presented with a “Keep Rotorua Beautiful” award and in 2012-2013. Landcare Okareka was the Bay of Plenty regional winner of the “Weedbusters” award.
Landcare Okareka holds a Memorandum of Understanding with both Rotorua District Council and the Department of Conservation. It is also a registered Landcare Group with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and is in the process of negotiating a Biodiversity Management Plan with BOPRC. Through all of these contacts we have access to resources especially in terms of expertise, but also for plants and chemicals.
One of the highly visible areas that Landcare Okareka has worked in recently is the area around the pump station on the corner of Okareka Loop Road and Summit Road, for which we gained the 2012-2013 “Weedbusters” award. Take a look at the before, during and after photos (on the next page) and you will notice what a difference the volunteers from Landcare Okareka, with the assistance of Guy Gaddum Construction, Rotorua District Council (with plants and chemicals) and Bay of Plenty Regional Council (with plants) have made to this entrance to Lake Okareka settlement.
What were Landcare Okareka volunteers going to do on our last Working Bee?
We were going to shift gravel that Rotorua District Council had dropped over the fence earlier in the year, above Silver beach. The photo shows some of the guys busy filling wheelbarrows with the track gravel. If you go out on the Lake Okareka walkway you will see where we have been working. Many thanks to everyone who came to help. Over the next few months there will be some smaller plantings done around Lake Okareka and up at Tikitapu DOC reserve. We would love to have people come to help. Keep an eye out for the sign boards which will give you date, time and place or contact Sandra 362 8865 for further details.
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