Clean-up volunteers wanted

Awapuni Cleanup: Saturday, September 15, 2pm. Environment Network Manawatu¯ (ENM) and Manawatu¯ River Source to Sea are partnering with Palmerston North City Council (PNCC) to collect rubbish along the river at Ahimate Park, below the Awapuni Recycling Centre. Keep New Zealand Beautiful are providing bags and gloves for volunteers.

PNCC staff will be on hand with shelter, litter pickup sticks, water and transport to shuttle volunteers from the meeting point to the event location. Volunteer registration is 1.30pm in the Paneiri Park carpark. The Koanga Spring Bonfire takes place in the evening, with food trucks and music.

Dam open day

Marton Dam Open Day: Saturday, September 15, 9am. The Rangitikei District Council parks team invites all community members to an open day at the Martin Water Reservoir. Help with some planting, check out the exciting future plans for the site, and enjoy a barbecue to top it off. Boots or sturdy footwear are recommended, and please bring a spade if you have one.

Track walk

Arapuke Forest Park: Saturday, September 22. Join Forest & Bird and Ian Argyle for a walk along the Back Track to look at ferns, areas Ian has planted, and share some local history. Ian was recently recognised with a QSM in the New Year honours list for his track-making and advocacy work for our local bush.

Be prepared for uphill sections in the walk and please bring strong shoes, warm waterproof clothes, lunch and water. Pre-registration is essential: Manawatu.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz

Chance to see whio

Walk where the whio are: Sunday, September 23.

Walk through the forest down to the beautiful Oroua River, where whio/blue duck (pictured) are sometimes found. Find out about the Ruahine Whio Protectors who check the traps.

You’ll need warm waterproof clothes, strong shoes and some food and water but no dogs please. Places limited to 20. Call 027 540 5412 to book.

Priority grants

Strategic Priority Grants open September 19-November 19. The grants provide multi-year funding for community-led projects, activities or services. The funding available is $1.3 million per year for three years, with funding starting from July 1, 2019. Funding priorities are based on the Creative and Liveable Strategy (to achieve Goal 2: A creative and exciting city); the Connected Community Strategy (to achieve Goal 3: A connected and safe community); and the Eco City Strategy (to achieve Goal 4: An eco city). The full strategies and their supporting plans are available at https://www.pncc.govt.nz/council-city/official-documents/ strategic-direction/

Two meetings will be held on September 10 and 12, where PNCC staff will introduce the programme, explain the funding priorities, and outline the application process: