Sherry River Champions.
A group of Tasman district farmers are being hailed as champions for their commitment to improving the Sherry River's water quality. Thirty people gathered at a community planting event on October 1st, where the farmers excellent work was recognised. Certificates were presented to Bill and Lisa Anglesey, Frank and Lisa White, Steve and Kerry Semmens, Trish, Dennis and David Meade, Roy and Yvonne Bensemann, and Bill and Jeanette Booth.They were also rewarded with their own-label sherry, with advice that the quality was best deserving for Christmas puddings!
The farmers began their long-term project in 2002 after learning the river had high pathogen and ecoli levels, with campylobacter found in the water. Since then three new bridges have been built to eliminate stock crossing the river, they have planted 3000 native trees along waterways, and each has written their own farm environmental plan.
NZ Landcare Trust Regional Coordinator Barbara Stuart said the farmers had accepted that there was an issue. ``They took up the challenge to improve the water quality. They saw their responsibility and have taken it seriously. It's day by day management and these guys have been open enough to begin to see the long-term importance of maintaining good water quality for the future. That's what the Sherry Champions Awards are about.''
The event also provided the community with an opportunity to plant 1000 native plants at Biggs Creek, celebrate the release of the Sherry River Native Plant Establishment Guide and also get an update on the catchment work.
The gathering provided the public with a chance to pose questions about monitoring data to scientists Chris Phillips from Landcare Research, Trevor James from the Tasman District Council and Andrew Fenemor who is the Motueka Integrated Catchment Management Research programme leader. The project is in its third and final year of Sustainable Farming Fund support.
