Environmental care groups encouraged to seek help and advice

Environment Waikato is offering advice and support to anyone thinking of starting or joining an environmental care group, EW care group coordinator Therese Balvert says.

Speaking at a regional landcare networking field day at the Te Pahu community hall in the Waipa district recently, Ms Balvert said it was important for new groups to get off to a strong start to ensure longevity and ongoing commitment from members.

“Environment Waikato can help Waikato people looking to start a new group, perhaps by helping get the community together in one place to talk, facilitating the discussion around the group’s goals and ideas and offering practical tips about obtaining funding or organising events. We are also connected with about 40 care groups in our region, providing access to valuable support networks.”

Ms Balvert said care groups could take a range of forms, from those focused on strategic lobbying to those taking on-the-ground action.

“These groups play a crucial role in protecting our region’s environment.”

Also speaking at the field day, Waipa district councillor Laurie Hoverd said the current tough economic climate was likely to pose extra challenges for care groups, which were often rurally-based.

“The rural area is going to be hit very hard this year, particularly in the Waipa and Waikato districts because recent revaluations will see many farmers paying big increases in rates, at a time when farm values are dropping.”

For that reason it was important to look at ways to “bridge the gap between town and country” and get more people from towns involved in biodiversity projects.

“It’s essential that they become part of these groups so they become advocates. Speak to groups in town like Lions and Rotary and run workshops in town to find out what the community wants.”

Groups also needed to ensure they maintained momentum by sharing leadership responsibilities.

“Often these groups are driven by a few passionate people, but it’s important to share the leadership around so you have new people coming through. Some young people don’t like meetings, but they do love fieldwork, so let the older ones run the meetings and let the younger ones get on with the work. It makes a huge difference.”

Anyone wanting advice on how to start or join an environmental care group can contact Environment Waikato care group coordinator Therese Balvert on 0800 800 401.