The Whau River Catchment Trust is working towards healthier habitat throughout the Whau river catchment area through community participation and kaitiakitanga (guardianship and protection). We deliver a wide range of community-based environmental projects focusing on ecological restoration and conservation, principally in collaboration with Auckland Council and other key stakeholders within the catchment.

Nature Needs You! We are on the search for Habitat Restoration Heroes. Ecological restoration is the restoration of habitat for native birds, lizards and insects, many of which are in decline in Aotearoa New Zealand. Besides planting new native plants (from big trees to low growing groundcover, depending on the situation), a key element of restoration is to manage environmental weeds (otherwise known as pest plants). Pest plants are exotic species (foreign to Aotearoa) which, if left unchecked, will kill native species and destroy habitat. Some of the worst pest plants are vines which climb up trees and shrubs and smother them. Another key element of restoration is mulching new and recent plantings. The application of mulch (arborist woodchip) helps to suppress emerging weeds, and also helps the young native plants to survive the hot and dry summers while their roots are still making their way deeper into the ground.

If your team would love to work outdoors, come and spend some time clearing invasive pest plants from native habitat and mulching. It is very rewarding work.

You can volunteer with a group or yourself as an individual and we will work with you to best suit your availability. Please contact gary@whauriver.org.nz or 021 164 7818

By participating in this volunteering opportunity you are helping achieve the following United Nations Sustainability Goals ; Goal 6 - Clean water and sanitation Goal 10 - Reduced inequalities Goal 11 - Sustainable cities and communities Goal 14 - Life below water Goal 15 - Life on land.

Please contact gary@whauriver.org.nz or 021 164 7818 to arrange a volunteering day or find out when the next planting day is planned.

Check out the 2021 Whau River Clean Up Regatta Event