Celebrating 25 years of caring for our coast
19 November 2019
Volunteers and
key supporters of the Coast Care Bay of Plenty programme
celebrated 25 years of restoring and protecting our
region’s sand dunes on Sunday. The occasion was marked by
the unveiling a new commemorative sign by Bay of Plenty
Regional councillor Andrew von Dadelszen at the Mount
Maunganui main beach, followed by speeches from key Coast
Care founders.
Paul Greenshields, Coast Care
Regional Co-ordinator reflected on the significance of the
day.
“In the past 25 years more than 300,000
volunteer hours have helped to plant 1.5 million sand dune
plants across the Bay of Plenty region, making it one of the
largest and most successful dune restoration programme in
New Zealand,” he said.
The Coast Care Bay of Plenty
group was formed in 1994 and early projects included
clearing Sydney Golden wattle from the Mount Maunganui beach
front and helping Waihī Beach residents restore the dunes
after an ocean storm resulted in waves surging 80 metres
inland. Since then the programme has grown and now helps
look after and plant more than 156 km of coastline across
the Bay of Plenty.
Mr Greenshields highlighted that
central to Coast Care is a community-based partnership
programme which connects local communities, care groups and
schools from Waihī all the way around to the East Cape.
“Crucial to the ongoing success of Coast Care is
the contribution made by volunteers,” he said. “Whether
it’s individuals turning up for planting days, schools and
kindergartens including dune restoration in their curriculum
or businesses donating staff hours, Coast Care represents
the epitome of people getting involved to make a
difference.”
Coast Care Bay of Plenty is
co-ordinated by Bay of Plenty Regional Council with support
from Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District
Council, Whakatāne District Council, Ōpōtiki District
Council and the Department of
Conservation.
ENDS