Farmers shine at environment awards
Farmers led the way at the Taranaki Regional Council’s annual Environmental Awards, with seven of the sixteen awards going to farming operations around the region.
Announcing the winners, TRC chairman David MacLeod said extensive monitoring had shown the environment was stable or improving in many key areas, especially freshwater quality.
‘‘Of course that’s not by accident or good luck. All of us here in Taranaki takes our environment very seriously,’’ he said. ‘‘But this doesn’t mean we can rest on our laurels. There’s always more to be done. As we all know, the bar is continually being raised and expectations grow greater, not smaller.
‘‘Looking at tonight’s winners, we can be assured that the region’s in good heart, more than ready to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.’’
The awards, which have been running since 1993, were made in five categories, including two focused on farming.
In the environmental leadership in land management category, four farming operations were recognised for their environmental stewardship.
Among them were Wayne and Michelle Berridge, who received an award for their efforts to protect and enhance water quality and restore native habitats.
Since 2011, the Berridges have fully protected the waterways and wetlands on their 59-hectare drystock farm near Omata. The work has included 4.8 kilometres of fencing and 4.5km of planting.
Two native bush blocks and a wetland are key native ecosystems now protected by QEII Covenant and the Berridges are controlling plant and animal pests.
Children Melissa and Jake help with the environmental work and the family host visitors interested in the project.
Sandra and Duncan Blue (Huiakama), Chris Jury and Daniela Krumm (Tikorangi) and Holly Johnson and Simon Bailey (Okato) also received land management awards.
The region’s dairy farmers were also well represented at the awards, with three environmental leadership awards presented.
Ray and Pauline Willy’s 98ha farm at Rawhitiroa, near Eltham, includes a 1.8ha wetland, a rare natural habitat for native mudfish. The wetland is fenced and protected with a QEII covenant.
Ray helps monitor fish populations in the wetland and has volunteered with the Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust since 2005.
The couple are passionate about sustainable farming and are controlling pest plants and animals, and doing restoration planting through a regional council biodiversity plan.
Other dairy farmers to receive awards were Damian and Jane Roper (Alton) and Ian Sharpe (Inglewood).
Awards were also made in the following categories: Environmental action in education: Woodleigh Primary School, Hawera Christian School Habitat Heroes, Para Kore ki Taranaki; Te taiao me te pakihi/ Environmental leadership in business: Julie Harkness, Trustpower Ltd Taranaki Generation, Double R Taranaki Ltd; Environmental action in the community: Native Forest Restoration Trust, Jenny Kerrisk, Allen Stancliff.