Farmer-led catchment community groups are a great platform for building thriving farming communities that are well placed to respond to local environmental opportunities or issues.
The Ida Valley Catchment Group was set up with help from the Otago Catchment Community Inc (OCC) to help farmers in the valley continue to use their water for irrigation while starting to develop better environmental and water quality outcomes for the area.
“The Ida Valley group has been active for around three years,” says Sam Stevens, B+LNZ Farmer Council Central South Island Chair. “Getting started was a major undertaking but was well worth it now we’re seeing the willows coming out of the gorge and the nursery taking shape.”
The group recently secured funding for a large willow removal project in the Poolburn Gorge and development of biodiversity in that area. It is also establishing a native nursery and tunnel house at Poolburn School.
“We’re all pretty excited to see these tangible benefits for the community. It really highlights the work our farmers are doing to improve the environment,” he adds.
“There have been many people who have helped along the way, including committee members past and present, the Manuherekia Catchment Group, Otago Regional Council, OCC, and a number of local irrigation companies including Ida Valley, Hawkdun/Idaburn, Lake Contracting and Irritech.”
“It’s been a real community effort by our farmers and wider community with Ida Valley Station generously donating manpower and equipment, the Heaney and Thurlow families allowing use of their land to access the gorge for willow removal, and community members who turned out to working bees.”
Next for the group is the completion of the tunnel house and native nursery at Poolburn School, ongoing maintenance of the gorge with spraying willow regrowth, and planting where required.
The Ida Valley Catchment Group is a member of Otago Catchment Community Inc, which receives funding from Otago Regional Council and MPI. It supports catchment groups across Otago with funding, facilitation, training, and technical advice.
B+LNZ supports catchment community groups and has a range of resources for farmers on the Knowledge Hub.
