The Moutere Catchment Group has won a Freshwater Champion Award for its incredible action towards freshwater health in Aotearoa.
An educator, an artist, two community catchment groups and some trail-blazing farmers are being celebrated as 2024’s Cawthron Freshwater Champions, including our very own Moutere Catchment Group. Winning an ‘early impact’ award for the incredible difference they’ve made to the future health of the Moutere catchment – and it’s just the start of their restoration journey.
The Moutere Catchment Group, supported by Elliot Easton, began only five years ago and now has over 200 community members who’ve planted over 500,000 native trees, constructed two major wetlands and established over 50km of riparian fencing. Their passion and motivation to improve local waterways has achieved remarkable results and created an invaluable template to inspire other rural communities.
Speaking on behalf of assessors, Cawthron freshwater ecologist Kati Doehring said they were thrilled with the number and range of entries. “While this made it hard to determine just a small number of Champions, we are delighted by the stories and experience that our Champions offer to inspire others on this important journey.”
The Freshwater Champion Awards, launched in 2023, celebrates freshwater restoration efforts by groups and individuals across Aotearoa. They recognise the importance of freshwater health and celebrate people who’ve made a significant contribution to this by improving the state of our rivers, lakes, wetlands and estuaries, and share what these groups and individuals have achieved with the wider community.
