Join this friendly team of volunteers maintaining the Waitohu Stream plant nursery and dune care activities. The Waitohu Stream and Dune Care group are volunteers who love nature and work together to care for 8 hectares of the Waitohu Stream estuary and dune system at the north end of Ōtaki Beach. They are looking for volunteers to join them in the plant nursery raising plants from locally collected seeds. This is a year round activity in the nursery, potting up, fertilising and can be done seated.
There is also the opportunity to get out on the dunes for several months of the year (optional), planting, weed releasing around the plants, weeding/removing non-native weeds and plant maintenance.
They are a social bunch who enjoy weekly morning teas at the end of the session and other social events, including visits to other coastal restoration groups. This is an environmental and conservation activity at a significant community asset, necessary to maintain the dunes for the protection and enjoyment of the beach community, for the birds, insects and other life that live there.
An interest in gardening, native plants, birds, the natural environment, being in the open air, is an asset although not essential. Work can be done independently, or as part of a very friendly group. Some mobility required for dune work. Nursery not required so much.
Several members have backgrounds in botany and horticulture related activities, so there is opportunity to learn from others. Training is not really required, you can learn as you go, just enthusiasm for the work and the company of the other volunteers.
The group meet on Monday mornings for a couple of hours at the Waitohu Stream Nursery.
Participation can be weekly, or at the person’s convenience, the group is flexible and supportive of member’s lifestyles and other activities.
Getting started:
The first step is to express your interest by filling out the form below.
We will then put you in touch directly with the organisation for more information on the role and how to proceed.
Conservation