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Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research ecologist Norman Mason said reversing the almost total loss of kahikatea forests from the flood plains of the Piako may seem like a daunting prospect, but the community is one step closer to protecting its forests for future generations. The planted area connects a council-owned scenic reserve and a privately owned QEII National Trust conservation covenant. The freshly planted seedlings will help improve connections between these two fragments and increase resistance to weeds and weather extremes. supplied More than 80 volunteers showed up for planting day in Waharoa. “This is a great example of what can be achieved when landowners, the community, government agencies and conservation charities work together,” Mason said. ....
Manaia and Scarlet hope the lake’s restoration will encourage more Kiwis to visit the wetland. “When I reflect back to my time when I was a young boy, there were no PlayStations, no digital devices … we would spend hours at the creek, learning about nature and ultimately about science.” Lake Rotopiko, also known as Serpentine Lakes, is next to State Highway 3, near Ōhaupō, between Hamilton and Te Awamutu. It is one of 16 significant peat lakes in the Waipā district and is now surrounded by a 3km predator-proof fence. The new pontoon and lake circuit walkway cost about $200,000, supported by funders, the Lottery Grants Board, Waipā District Council, WEL Energy Trust, Trust Waikato, Stout Trust and Waikato Forest and Bird. ....