Field day to offer advice on environment and funding sources

Farmers and other land owners in the Waipā River catchment are being encouraged to attend a field day to hear ideas for managing their properties in an environmentally sustainable way.

Information on sources of funding to support environmental initiatives will also be available at the event, being organised by Waikato Regional Council and DairyNZ.

The Kaniwhaniwha Stream catchment field day will be at the property of Denis and Felicity Ahlers, who have worked with industry body DairyNZ to develop an environment-focused sustainable milk plan and also identified work that can qualify for council and Waikato River Authority funding.

Topics to be covered at the field day include farm planning, planting beside waterways, aquatic life, council river management and land stabilisation.

“Reducing soil loss is particularly important in the Waipā catchment as this contributes to a high sediment load in streams and the Waipā River itself,” said council sustainable agriculture advisor John Vosper.

“This sediment reduces water clarity and can harm aquatic life. The Waipā River’s major issue is poor clarity caused by sediment and it is the biggest contributor of sediment to the lower Waikato River.”

The field day follows an announcement late last year that the Waikato River Authority is planning to provide the council with up to $1.5 million over three years for implementation of projects identified in the recently released Waipā Catchment Plan. The plan is aimed at contributing to the restoration and protection of the Waipā River.

The catchment plan promotes sustainable land uses and management practices, as well as providing targeted funding and assisting landowners to develop property or farm plans.

Overall, the plan sets 20-year aspirational goals for the catchment, including reducing erosion and sedimentation of the river, having productive soils, having swimmable water quality throughout the catchment, and providing good flood protection and enhanced ecological health.

For more information on the catchment plan visit www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/waipaplan

The field day at the Ahlers’ farm will be held from 10am to 1pm on Tuesday 21 April at 1120 Limeworks Loop Rd, Te Pahu, near Hamilton.

People are asked to RSVP for catering purposes by Friday 17 April to Vivienne.southall@dairynz.co.nz

More information is available from John Vosper by calling 0800 800 401 or emailing john.vosper@waikatoregion.govt.nz

ENDS

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