Who's involved
The Thomsons Catchment Project is led by farmers in our district with Nicola McGrouther the Project Manager. Nicola, who is supported by 13 member committee, is an environmental consultant of long-standing and is passionate about working with farmers and communities to help them establish good environmental practices. Also essential to the success of our Project is the keen involvement of our surrounding community.
Partnering with schools,
Recognising that the future success of our work lies with tomorrow’s farmers, as well as the next generations in our neighbourhood, we have established close relationships with the main schools. These include Omakau Primary School, which is carrying out monthly water quality testing and is participant in the Enviroschools programme where designated educators have created much interest in helping to identify invertebrates/bugs found in Thomsons Creek. The pupils of nearby Poolburn School are involved too in learning about the health of our creek.
Partnering with regional committees,
The Fonterra Otago-Southland dairying team is a great supporter, as are the Otago Regional Council (ORC), Central Otago District Council (CODC), Auhaka, the Otago Catchment Community network that we are part of, including the Manuherekia Catchment Group, our regional Fish & Game and Department of Conservation (DoC) people, the Queen Elizabeth II Trust, and the Otago University Marine Studies Centre through its Aquavan educators and NIWA.
Partnering with businesses,
Several Otago-based businesses and consultants are also committed to our cause. While there are others, to date these include Brendan Sheehan of Mt Aurum Engineering, Central Excavating, S & B Civil, Breens Civil, McKeague Consultancy, Landpro, Agriplanz, Freestone, OMS, Chamberlain Project Surveying, AON Insurance Brokers, Habitat Restorations and Shelly Maccormick, Sian Playeralong with Jo Wakelin from Koinga Consulting local plant expert, and support us with planting knowledge and advice.
Check out the Thomsons Catchment Project Facebook page where you will find the latest about activities and opportunities to get involved www.facebook.com/ThomsonsCatchmentProject
