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Wednesday11 July 2012

Manawatu’s Weedbusters Recognised

Yesterday Horizons Regional Council recognised two of Manawatu’s most dedicated weeders, in the biennial Weedbuster Awards.

A ceremony at the PNCC Education Centre saw awards presented to Ken Rush and the Kahuterawa Bust Restoration Group and Kevin Wells, for their weedbusting efforts in and around Palmerston North.

Ken Rush and the Kahuterawa Bush Restoration Group were selected as winners of the education category due to their efforts busting weeds in the Kahuterawa Scenic Reserve. Weed management has always been one of the main issues in the reserve and in 2010 participation from the wider community was sought. These days regular school and community working bees are held and stories on the group’s progress feature in the community newsletter.

Kevin Wells won the Private Land Category due to his volunteer work at four local bush remnants, three of which are private and one a public reserve. The public reserve is Barber’s Bush and the private ones are Oxenhams Bush, Keebles Bush and Te One. Kevin began weedbusting in 2003 and has made a significant contribution to bush remnants in Manawatu. His work is particularly valuable in preventing weed issues from escalating in the remnants he is involved in.

Weedbusters is an awareness and education programme that aims to protect New Zealand's environment from the increasing weed problem.

Horizons environmental management officer and regional Weedbuster coordinator Neil Gallagher said that weeds are a big threat to New Zealand's biodiversity.

“People play a large part in spreading environmental weeds, often without knowing it. Weedbusters aims to educate people and raise awareness to turn this problem around.

“Let’s face it, weeding is a chore for most of us, so the Weedbuster awards are a chance for us to acknowledge the voluntary work of groups and individuals who are doing an excellent service to the community.”

Mr Gallagher said the Kahuterawa Bush Restoration Group and Mr Wells have worked tirelessly to achieve some great results around Palmerston North. “They have rolled up their sleeves and have made significant improvements to the projects they have been involved in from the outset.”

Going into the future the Weedbusters programme will continue minimising the amount of weeds in useable areas, and planting natives in suitable places. New Weedbusters groups can be registered at www.weedbusters.co.nz.

ENDS

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