25-11-09: New Regional Coordinator for the Bay of Plenty.
NZ Landcare Trust is delighted to welcome Kate Akers to the team. Kate took up the post of Regional Coordinator for the Bay of Plenty on 23rd November and will be focussing on the 'Kaimai Catchments Project'.
Kate says, “ I’m really looking forward to working with the Kaimai communities. This region is blessed with valuable, beautiful land and it is reassuring to know that our community is already actively involved in sustainable land management."
This catchment management project aims to reduce sedimentation and nutrient 'run-off' into Tauranga Harbour and The Firth of Themes by working with farmers and landowners in the upper levels of the catchments. Sustainable land management is about working with the community, helping them protect their land, both now and in the future. In this case, significant improvements may come from protecting erosion prone banks or improving effluent management systems or reducing the use of fertilisers. A more specific plan will be determined after discussions with the various stakeholders involved.
Kate has a clear idea of how she will approach the challenges of her new post, "My job will be to assist the community in their ongoing endeavours to find the best techniques to protect their land, to disseminate the latest research, link people with resources and to physically support Landcare Groups... ‘armed’ with my gum boots! “
We look forward to working with Kate and wish her success in her new role.
