Marlborough Express - Weekend Express
Many handsmake lagoon beautiful again
Mention Grovetown Lagoon and some people will draw a blank, but just five minutes from Blenheim a group of dedicated volunteers has created a beautiful wetland area.
The Te Whanau Hou Grovetown Lagoon Restoration Project is an entrant in the landscape and habitat enhancement category for the Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards.
Project co-ordinator Justine Johnson says entering the awards is about drawing attention to the lagoon, which was formed when the Wairau River changed course in the 1840s.
She says iwi approached the Marlborough District Council to raise their concerns over water quality in the lagoon in the early 2000s, sparking the creation of the group that has looked after the area ever since.
‘‘We’ve got a few goals, we want to enhance the area for the wildlife, the fish and the birds. We want to improve it for recreational use as well,’’ Justine says.
Part of this includes the development of a 4-kilometre track around the lagoon. A bridge was installed in August.
The project, a collaboration between iwi, council, the Grovetown community and the Department of Conservation, also aims to improve the wetland for mahinga kai, or food gathering.
Every six weeks volunteers gather to plant native trees - many grown at Grovetown School - clear out invasive species and rubbish, and soon, start laying traps for predators.
This has made the lagoon a perfect habitat for birds. One volunteer counts the number of species he sees on each visit and it is never fewer than 20, Justine says.
‘‘It’s so beautiful here, it’s only five minutes from Blenheim and you can come out for a walk, listen to all the birds, and be by the water - it’s so peaceful.’’
- Oliver Lewis