Thomsons Catchment Project
There’s been incredible progress at Orkney Wetland and throughout the catchment in recent months. From a fantastic turnout for World Wetlands Day (thanks Otago Regional Council for your support) to final construction touches and the installation of the new Orkney sign, it’s been an exciting time for both the team and the wider community. The wetland is now fully connected, with creeks flowing through nearly a kilometre of ponds, and Carex secta plantings thriving.
Bird monitoring and predator control efforts are making an impact, with ongoing trapping and the arrival of new cygnets! The recent trapping info session at Muddy Creek Café was a great success, with a strong turnout of locals keen to learn more about predator control. DOC’s Dave Goodman and Jo Corrie shared expert advice on effective trapping techniques, helping both landowners and volunteers improve their skills. If you’d like to get involved in bird monitoring or trapping, we’d love to hear from you. Text or call Kim on 027 288 8484 to join the team.
Across the catchment, we’re continuing to support farmers with fencing grants and sediment management plans to help protect waterways. We’re now two-thirds through our visits, so if we haven’t been in touch yet, please feel free to reach out. Call Nicola on 027 493 9500 or Haines on 021 448 001.
The new walkway and viewing platform are underway , and we’ve already opened the hill track to the public. Huge thanks to Andrew Kerr and the Breen team for their hard work and dedication!
It’s also been a pleasure welcoming Clyde and Omakau schools to the wetland and Thomsons Creek, giving students a chance to explore the site, check the water clarity, and learn about our predator trapping programme and freshwater ecosystems firsthand. They had a fantastic time, and we look forward to more school visits in the future.
The first Backyard Growers workshop on 26 February brought together locals eager to grow native plants for Orkney Wetland. Held at Pete’s Yard in Ōmakau, participants potted over 300 flax seedlings, which will be looked after in backyards before planting next year. These plants will help restore biodiversity and improve water quality. A big thank you to Jo Wakelin for growing the seedlings and to our dedicated growers: Johanna, Nikki and Roger, Kim and Jack, Lorna, Colleen, Leo and Alice. Your efforts made this initiative a great success. By growing plants at home, backyard growers are making a real impact. If you’d like to get involved, we can set plants aside for you — just text 027 493 9500 or email thomsonscatchment@gmail.com.
If you’ve been on the Rail Trail recently, you may have noticed the impressive new Orkney Wetland sign. Huge thanks to Kim and Steve Hore and the Cen Eng team for their fantastic work. Installed on the rocks overlooking the wetland, the sign highlights our ongoing restoration efforts. We have more signs coming thanks to the Otago Rail Trail Trust.
Next time you’re on the trail, take a moment to enjoy the view and celebrate Orkney Wetland’s journey.
To stay in the loop with everything that’s been happening and what’s ahead, keep an eye on mcg.org.nz/thomsons-project or follow us on Facebook for frequent updates. Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey.
Click to read more about what's been happening for the Manuherekia Catchment Group and Waiora Manuherekia Project:
