A broad approach to environment
OPINION: As an on-farm judge for the Ballance Farm Environment Awards for many years, I’ve witnessed first-hand how dramatically New Zealand agriculture and horticulture has transformed over the past three decades.
The Catchment Group Award is being supported by a partnership between the NZ Farm Environment Trust and NZ Landcare Trust.
It is designed to showcase and celebrate the work done by catchment groups across New Zealand.
“The new Catchment Group Award recognises the efforts of a rural community working together to improve water quality in local rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands,” says NZ Farm Environment Trust chair Joanne van Polanen.
She says the new initiative is designed to celebrate the efforts of catchment groups and inspire other rural communities with examples of good practice.
The NZ Landcare Trust Catchment Group Award will be open to catchment groups from all eleven regions where the Ballance Farm Environment Awards are held.
NZ Landcare Trust chief executive Dr Nick Edgar says it’s exciting to be launching the new award across New Zealand.
“We provide support to a large number of catchment groups doing amazing work to protect biodiversity, clean up waterways and respond to the climate challenge. This award provides an excellent opportunity to showcase what farmers in these groups have been able to achieve by working together,” he says.
Farmers, growers and catchment groups are encouraged to visit www.nzfeawards.org.nz to find out about the awards, enter and/or nominate an entrant into the awards.
