Horizons Regional Council has been awarded two Envirolink grants to undertake environmental initiatives for the region.

The Council has been granted $20,000 to investigate cyanobacteria in the Manawatu to establish its cause and find out more about its effects on the environment. The bacteria is also known as ‘blue-green algae’ and is commonly recognised in the form of toxic blooms in lakes and has been known to make dogs ill.

Horizons science manager Jon Roygard says cyanobacteria has been found in the region over the past few years, causing concern around the safety of some swimming spots.

Horizons has been monitoring the presence and toxicity of cyanobacteria in the region weekly since the beginning of 2011. Dr Roygard said the information collected over this time will complement the investigation to be funded by the grant.

“We’ve followed the national guidelines in terms of monitoring cyanobacteria but little is known about the nature or cause of it in our region as, until now, we haven’t had the resourcing to further investigate the bacteria,” said Dr Roygard.

Chair of Horizons environment committee Jill White said the grant will allow Horizons to expand on information they have collected to date. “We will be able to better understand the nature of the cyanobacteria present, what’s causing it and how we can manage it. It will help in our overall goal of improving water quality in rivers such as the Manawatu,” said Ms White

Horizons was also awarded a $5,000 Envirolink grant to carry out research into the control of peafowl, which are causing local farmers headaches.

Farmers have requested support from Horizons as to how to better control peafowl which have been making a nuisance of themselves by competing for food and fouling pasture. The grant will allow Horizons to research suitable control methods for the bird which is not currently recognised as a priority pest in the Region. Findings of the research will be provided to farmers who want to put control measures in place on their farms.

ENDS

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