You may have noticed small groups of people hanging about amongst the trees on the roadsides around Raglan. If you’re wondering who they are or what they’re up to they are volunteers hunting Privet. But that’s not all they do. The volunteers are part of a small group of locals called Whaingaroa Weedbusters.
The group was started five years ago by Liz Stanway who you may know as the compost maker extraordinaire from Xtreme. She obtained a grant from Waikato Regional Council to explore community-led pest plant control. Leanne Steel joined in and kept the mahi going after Liz returned to her amazing work.
At the end of the initial project Leanne met with local people who were also interested in clearing pest plants on the Kaitoke Walkway. The core group of about eight people meet somewhere on the Kaitoke Walkway two Saturday mornings each month to remove plants such as Ginger, Woolly nightshade, Japanese honeysuckle, Moth plant and of course Privet.
The focus is on restoring and enhancing the environment for native species.
Over time this dedicated core group has extended its work to include other areas of weed need. For example, small groups each week work to control problem pest plants on public, council administered land. Privet on the roadside is a key focus because of the impact it has both on the environment and on people’s health.
Next time you a group of people in the undergrowth, maybe stop and talk to them about what they do and consider joining them on their forays. Many hands make light work.
Keep an eye out for our monthly pest plant column with thanks to Te Rekereke Taiao Trust and Waikato Regional Council.
Whaingaroaweedbusters@gmail.com
