Conservation
The club is active in the protection of our most valuable raw material- WATER. We as a club enjoy fresh and salt water outings and consider it important to treasure, protect and “give back” to the environment in which we paddle.
Recently the club has successfully supported submissions against West Power’s Waitaha River Hydro proposal at Morgan Gorge. A wild and wonderful stretch of white water on the West Coast.
We have made a recent submission on the National Policy Statement for Freshwater.
We have joined “Friends of Nelson Haven” as a corporate member to support their ongoing hard work of campaigning and advocating as an environmental coastal watchdog group.
On a more practical level we have regularly supported a “Forest and Bird” reserve planting and weeding project at Ronga Reserve. This project improves water quality in the Rai/Pelorus River Catchment. We have also donated financially to “Forest and Bird” for this project and to the “Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust” for their work of trapping and planting on the Abel Tasman Coastline.
We have helped with “Forest and Bird’s” Pearl Creek estuarine margin planting and weeding project. Also regular planting and weeding days with “Battle for the Banded Rail” group at various locations on the Waimea Inlet estuary margins. The estuarine environment is incredibly important for water quality through effective habitat for natural flora and fauna.
Some of our members have also assisted with “Forest and Bird’s” beach cleanups. We also make a point on our club trips to pick up and recycle where possible rubbish we find.
There are risks to water quality from a range of pollution sources including livestock farming. Recently club members assisted with cleaning up bale wrap that had ‘escaped’ into the Buller River. This involved kayaking/rafting as well as untangling and collecting the blue plastic bale wrap from the river banks.
Club member Jane Wickham helping with the bale wrap clean up on the Buller River.
Some club members have been involved in bird surveys on braided rivers in our region. Many birds rely on nesting and feeding habitats that braided rivers allow. These are threatened by livestock farming, weed infestations and flooding events.
The club subscribes to White Water NZ, a national body that promotes and coordinates the sport of kayaking, safety training, environmental and conservation issues on behalf of the regional kayak clubs in NZ. We also subscribe to KASK, a similar national body for sea kayakers. The large national membership base of these groups helps our argument when we are engaged in advocating for kayaking interests. Part of your membership fees helps the club maintain this vital advocacy work to protect kayakers interests.
For further information email conservation@nelsonkayakers.co.nz
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