Community Award
Sponsored by New Zealand Aluminium Smelters
Winner - On track for success.
The Toi Tois Lions Club was named winner of the Community Group award for their efforts in restoring the Waipohatu Waterfall Track. This fantastic three hour family walk in the Catlins fell into disrepair after two bridges were removed for safety reasons in the late 1990s.
It took years of lobbying, but the club finally convinced the Minister of Conservation to approve $15,000 to replace the bridges. DOC now contracts the club to maintain the track, which has become a safe and accessible walk attraction for both locals and visitors.
Highly Commended- Bluff Hill / Motupōhue Environment Trust.
The small group of volunteers from the Bluff Hill / Motupōhue Environment Trust is a great example of a community taking action to make things better in their own back yard. The Trust is dedicated to eradicating pest animals to make Bluff Hill a safe haven for native birds, invertebrates and plants to thrive, not just survive, and their work was highly commended by the judges.
The members describe themselves as "passionate lunatics" who are fighting a war against stoats, ferrets, rats and possums. You can already see the results of their work, with bird numbers and community support both growing.
Environment Southland is the brand name of Southland Regional Council.