EW seeks help managing pest animals and plants

Environment Waikato is seeking the community’s help in the battle against pest animals and plants.
It is calling for nominations to its regional pest management advisory sub-committees.

It follows the end of the most recent three-year term for the two sub-committee which cover the north and south of the Waikato.

“Pest animals and plants are a significant threat to our environment and the agricultural economy in the Waikato,” said Environment Waikato’s regional pest management committee chairman Simon Friar.
“These sub-committees play a crucial role in helping ensure the council and other agencies are doing a good job on the pest management front.

“We strongly encourage people with an interest in pest management – such as conservationists, farmers and hunters – to seriously consider taking up a post on one of the committees for the next three years.
“There are a lot of different issues and opinions to be taken account of with pest management and we want to have strong and diverse representation on the committees to ensure we get things right on behalf of all the regional community.”

Cr Friar said the benefits of strong pest management included helping ensure biodiversity and the preservation of the environment, protecting agricultural land and stock, and protecting waterways from erosion.

“The role of the subcommittees is to provide advice and guidance to council's regional pest management committee on policy, operational plans and on the ground initiatives. So there’s an opportunity to have a real impact on how things are done by serving on the committees.”

People wishing to serve will need a knowledge of or interest in pest issues, active involvement in community or relevant sector interests, the ability to attend day-long meetings four times per year, and a willingness to engage with the public and local communities on pest management matters. Meeting and mileage expenses are paid.

Terms of reference for committee service and nomination forms are available at Environment Waikato’s website www.ew.govt.nz or call the council’s freephone 0800 800 401.
Nominations close at noon on Monday 1 September.