Eco-systems can restore wildlife to lake

Forty children from the Pirongia School grasped the opportunity to see first hand how dairy farming and natural environments can co-exist.

The children spent a day in the care of Department of Conservation ranger Mike Paviour as part of the schools Enviro Day project recently.

Prior to their visit the students had undertaken classroom learning about the ecological system surrounding waterways and then were able to view it at Lake Ruatuna, one of three peat lakes which are a part of the Fonterrafunded Living Waters Programme.

Three years into its restoration project the students armed with both knowledge and spades were able to complete their day with planting 300 eco-sourced wetland species trees around the lake.

Paviour said the visit from school groups is ideal as it teaches them how the ecological system works.

‘‘We were able to show them what pests are harmful to the system, our methods of trapping and why, as well as putting them into the wetlands surrounding the lake to see how they protect the lake by acting as a filtration system of unwelcome nutrients from neighbouring farmland into the lake.’’

He explained the changing condition of the lake since they started and how nature surrounding it had also changed.

‘‘It’s been noticeable for those of us working on the lake how some species of wildlife has returned.‘‘

Doc volunteer Robyn Irving was able to demonstrate the difference in water quality at it present state and the quality to where the Living Waters project wants to achieve.

Demonstrating how heavy rain also affects water quality in the lake prompted the youngsters to turn up their noses when Irving asked if anyone wanted to drink either sample of water.

Pirongia School teacher Amanda Nasilasila said the children were able to see how small changes can ‘‘make a big difference to the environment’’.

The $20 million Living Waters Project is funded by Fonterra for five key waterways in major dairying regions around the country will benefit, including the Firth of Thames and Waikato peat lakes: Areare, Ruatuna and Rotomanuka.