volunteers out in force at poynters nature reserve on international volunteer day

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson joined 45 volunteers in Canterbury to mark International Volunteer Day today by helping restore the native plant life at Poynters Nature Reserve in Lower Waimakariri Regional Park near Kaiapoi.

Event organiser Catchment Care said Poynters Nature Reserve includes a valuable wetland and riparian forest where the efforts of volunteers will really make a difference and provide a valuable biodiversity ‘island’ in the Canterbury Plains.

Catchment Care, a nation-wide programme run by Fonterra and non-profit organisation Conservation Volunteers New Zealand, provides support for water-catchment care projects across New Zealand.

The liquefaction of the soil in September’s earthquake meant the survival of many native trees and shrubs in the reserve was threatened. Volunteers worked tirelessly, on what was a beautiful summer’s day, to remove the sand to increase the plants’ chances of survival as well as planting 300 new native trees.

Minister Kate Wilkinson was impressed by the achievements of the volunteers and supporting organisations. She emphasised the importance of all New Zealanders getting outside and doing their part to maintain and improve the country’s native plant life.

“The Department of Conservation and programmes like Fonterra’s Catchments Care recognises International Volunteer day because they rely on the invaluable help of volunteers,” says Ms Wilkinson, “our natural environment is our heritage.”

“Volunteering for a good cause is part of being a New Zealander. If all of our country’s volunteers went on strike for a day the whole nation would come to a halt. If politicians did, on the other hand, I don’t think anyone would notice.”

Fonterra’s General Manager of Sustainability John Hutchings, another volunteer on the day, said the volunteers had made a great addition to the 520,000 square meters of land the Catchment Care programme has already restored this year.

“Our Catchment Care volunteers work hard all year round so it was fantastic to recognise their efforts, and those of volunteers worldwide, at today’s successful event,” says Mr Hutchings.

Catchment Care is dedicated to improving our natural parks and fostering our native plants. In the past year alone the programme has provided over 2,750 volunteer days to support 40 projects throughout the country.