What we’re up to

Did you get our latest newsletter? Highlights include: 💦 2019/2020 Progress Report 💦 Staff changes 💦 Increasing the effectiveness of Waikato Peat Lake silt traps 💦 Using eDNA to find invasive pest fish (like the Koi Carp pictured) 💦 Much more! https://www.livingwater.net.nz/what-were-up-to/#newsletter

READ 👀 How we're using DNA to find out if there are pest fish like Koi Carp in Lake Ruatuna. Koi Carp contribute to poor water quality and destroy native plant and fish habitat. https://www.livingwater.net.nz/what-were-up-to/stories-about-our-work/use-of-edna-to-detect-species-at-waikato/

Drought conditions in Northland over the last year has impacted on the work we are able to do, and the livelihood of farmers. Despite this, 52 Farm Environment Plans covering 12,065 ha have been delivered to date by the Waimā Waitai Waiora partnership project we are involved with and this has been supplemented by Living Water supporting the planting of 20,000 natives on dairy farms in the Okarika Pocket to help reduce sediments and nutrients reaching waterways. https://www.livingwater.net.nz/catchment/wairua-river/ Located at the top of the Kaipara Harbour catchment, the 75,000 hectare Wairua River catchment includes the 5,000 hectare Hikurangi floodplain. Once a giant wetland, the floodplain has been largely drained and developed for agriculture, forestry, horticulture, and lifestyle blocks.

Community consultation for phase 2 of the Lower Waituna Creek transformation project has taken place. The feedback received will form the next steps taken to continue moving forward with restoration work. Results showed interest in continuing the in-stream restoration, continuing the riparian planting and there is a possibility of restoring meander channels that have been cut off from the main channel. This is all part of the wider Whakamana te Waituna Trust partnership and workstream Read what's been happening in the area 👇 https://www.livingwater.net.nz/catchment/waituna-lagoon/lower-waituna-creek-transformation-project/

We are seven years into the partnership between Department of Conservation and Fonterra, testing solutions to see freshwater and dairy thriving together. The lessons learned from the partnership are being integrated into both organisations to improve water quality across the country. Read more about Fonterra's plans for protecting and restoring New Zealand’s waterways 👇 https://www.fonterra.com/nz/en/our-stories/articles/keeping-up-community-action-to-restore-waterways.html

So we're a day late to celebrate #InternationalDogDay but here's some of our Living Water pooches, rest assured they all got lots of pats yesterday and told they're the goodest boys and girls 🐕

We've just released our Progress Report for 2019/2020. The partnership continues to grow, increased farmer and community engagement, 52 partnerships nationwide and 60 projects underway or completed. Results from the current tools and solutions are still being monitored. Make sure you're subscribed to our newsletter to stay up to date https://www.livingwater.net.nz/what-were-up-to/stories-about-our-work/2019-2020-progress-report/

World Water Week runs until August 28 but every week is water week for us, we're working with Department of Conservation, Fonterra, farmers, scientists, councils, mana whenua and communities to design and test solutions, and then develop a plan to implement regionally and nationally to see freshwater and dairy farming thriving side by side. Stay up to date with our progress by signing up to receive our quarterly newsletter: https://www.livingwater.net.nz/what-were-up-to/#subscribe

Our latest newsletter is out now, if you're not subscribed to our mailing list you can view it here 👇 https://www.livingwater.net.nz/what-were-up-to/#newsletter

We've just released our Progress Report for 2019/2020. The partnership continues to grow, increased farmer and community engagement, 52 partnerships nationwide and 60 projects underway or completed. Results from the current tools and solutions are still being monitored https://www.livingwater.net.nz/what-were-up-to/stories-about-our-work/2019-2020-progress-report

Citizen Science are running survey of the world's wetlands until October. The information collected is distributed to wetland scientists around the world to learn how wetlands are changing over time. https://worldwetland.network/our-work/world-wetlands-survey/

This was a really fascinating interview - discussing the complex social behaviour displayed by fish including passing information on from one generation to another. Fish feel pain and will display signs of distress like fast breathing, hiding and avoiding eating. This is no different to our other native species like birds, we need to protect and in many cases enhance what habitat remains for our native freshwater fish.

🐟 If you have an event planned that could celebrate something to do with rivers, freshwater fish, people and free flowing rivers then register it as a World Fish Migration Day event at https://www.worldfishmigrationday.com/join-wfmd. 🐟 Some of the current registered NZ events are being updated from original plans in May. To see events go to https://www.worldfishmigrationday.com/home

Conservation Volunteers New Zealand have put out some cool new resources for our freshwater eels including a video, posters, life-cycle, reading exercise and an illustrated story. Awesome resources to get kids interested in protecting our taonga. Check it out 👇 https://conservationvolunteers.co.nz/tamariki-for-tuna-longfin-eel-educational-resources/

Each month we introduce you to one of our hard working Living Water people, this month is Robin, our Ararira Site Lead 💧 The best bit about my job is: having the opportunity to channel my passion for a better future through environmental improvement. 💧 In my spare time I: actually do similar stuff – I actively support a local stream care group, marvel at nature on foot, on a mountain bike and out on the water in a yacht. 💧 If I wasn’t working here I’d: like to be helping in a similar way to support sustainability or green issues. 💧 Before working at Living Water I: was a Biodiversity Programme Manager at DOC supporting a team of DOC rangers.

Why is too much sediment an issue? And how can sediment traps capture excess sediment?Watch to find out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMUJn9zL2y8 UC Freshwater Ecology Research Group