Community Award
Sponsored by New Zealand Aluminium Smelters
Winner - The Great Gardeners from St Andrew's Church.
The winners of this year's Community Group award are a great example of young and old working together for the good of the community and the environment.
When Roger Harrington and other members of the St Andrew's Presbyterian Church congregation heard that New River Primary School was planning to set up a vegetable garden, they didn't think twice before volunteering to lead the project. These great role models have helped teach the students how to grow vegetables – the whole process from planting the seeds and seedlings through to picking the crop and even letting some of the plants go to seed so they can learn about harvesting seeds for next year’s planting. As well as learning about the practical side of horticulture, thanks to the gardeners of St Andrew’s Church, New River students have discovered that veges don't just come from a shop, and that fresh produce tastes fantastic – lessons they’re taking home to their families as well.
Other Nominees
Bluff Hill / Motupohue Environment Trust
This is a relatively new group – they've only been going one year – and their mission is to make Bluff Hill / Motupohue a safe habitat for native birds by trapping animal pests such as possums, ferrets, stoats and feral cats.
Myross Bush Landcare Group
This is another fairly new group, who have dedicated their efforts to restoring Kerrs Bush to its natural state. Their members work very closely with Myross Bush School and they have already made big inroads into the sycamore trees and other pest plants that were infesting Kerrs Bush.
Environment Southland is the brand name of Southland Regional Council.