Amberly Beach Care
Region: Canterbury
Award Category: Canterbury
Year: 2006
The Amberley Beach Coast Care care for the section of coast from the Rocks at the northern end of Pegasus Bay to the mouth of the Kowai River. There are several areas along this coastline they are concentrating efforts.
Their current project is attacking the grey willow that is infesting the Amberley Lagoon just north of the Amberley Beach Settlement. In 2004 access was made easier by the construction of a track and boardwalks with assistance from Lions, Fulton Hogan, Ready Mix, Goldpine and the Hurunui District Council. The willow is being cut by community workers from the Department of Corrections and chipped by council contractors. The stumps and regrowth is treated with glyphosate.
When the Amberley Beach Coast Care get more resources they will be attacking the spectacular old man s beard and wandering willy that infest the lower reaches of the Waipara River.
The volunteers are mainly local residents, they assist the council with planning and organising the work, and also getting stuck into small scale weed control. They hosted the Canterbury Ecological Restoration Day in November 2004; this included workshops on weed control, as well as being a chance for other groups from around Canterbury to see the weed clearance done so far, and the future challenges.