As part of WWF-New Zealand’s Community Conservation Fund, two of the projects this year are focused on educating tamariki on how to care for our waterways and the life within.
Through the Endangered Species Foundation’s “Drains are Streams” programme, WWF funding has supported an early childhood centre in Rototuna, Kirikiriroa Hamilton to look after two streams in their local area.
The tamariki have been learning about the endangered freshwater fish species that inhabit their local streams, as well as the impacts of pollution and the importance of keeping drains clean to protect waterways.
Thousands of litres of stormwater flow untreated into waterways annually, impacting all wildlife. Sadly 76% of native freshwater fish in Aotearoa New Zealand are threatened or at risk of extinction, while pollution and declining water quality have left 45% of rivers unsafe for swimming.
Elsewhere, in Ōmanaia, Northland, WWF funding is supporting local Tamariki to become river kaitiaki and play a part in restoring the awa Tōukahawai.
Since 2020, Te kura o Ōmanaia and the local community have set out to try and restore this awa for future generations.
Tamariki have been learning about their ancestors’ relationship with the water and have helped to create a riparian planting plan to try and strengthen the weakened banks and eventually provide shade for freshwater organisms that have long been lost to the awa.
The kids have got stuck in putting up fencing to keep stock away from the water, planting native trees, and raising their own native seedlings. They’ll also soon be testing the water quality so they can monitor the health of the awa Tōukahawai over time.
Through this project, tamariki from Ōmanaia are learning all about the importance of protecting their beautiful awa and how they can continue to share their knowledge and skills with future generations.
These programmes are just two of the 19 projects WWF-New Zealand, in partnership with the Tindall Foundation, is supporting through the Community Conservation Fund.
This initiative helps local community groups run projects that conserve and restore Aotearoa’s natural environment or teach New Zealanders about its importance.
The next round of applications for the Community Conservation Fund will open on 15 August.