Nominations for the 2010 Weedbuster Awards close on March 31. It’s now time to down tools and get nominating.
Environment Canterbury, the Department of Conservation and a number of local councils hold the Weedbuster Awards every two years to recognise people who help manage pest plants in Canterbury. This work is done in volunteers’ own time, and many also promote weed awareness or education in their community.
Entry is open to individual volunteers, and people who are part of a community group or an industry initiative. Volunteers may receive financial support from grants to cover operational costs, but time spent doing the work must be donated. There is no age restriction and people can nominate themselves.
The last awards in 2008 received 14 nominations from across Canterbury. South Canterbury stepped up for the 2008 Weedbuster awards with five strong Weedbuster contenders for work in the Public Land and Education categories.
These included the Kurow Town Enhancement Group (Public Land), the Lake Alexandrina Conservation Trust (Public Land), the Lindis Pass Conservation Trust (Public Land), the Ohau Conservation Trust (Public Land) and Third Age Adventures (Education).
The Kurow Town Enhancement group took out the Public Land award. The judges had been impressed with what the group had achieved for the community, not only in Weedbusting but also through re-planting and landscaping.
Canterbury regional Weedbuster Co-ordinator Gemma Bradfield (Environment Canterbury) said that the judges recognised that the Kurow Town Enhancement group had worked hard to gain support and form partnerships.
“They particularly liked how a series of carefully planned actions had built positive momentum in the community,” said Ms Bradfield.
Third Age Adventures, an over-60s group established by Aoraki Polytechnic demonstrated how theory can become practice and won the Weedbusters 2008 Education section.
“Third Age Adventures have been actively controlling wilding pines, an important 'pest plant' particularly in the high country and Mackenzie Basin. The judges had said they liked the initiative shown in setting up a group like this and wholeheartedly supported the group’s choice in targeting wilding pines,” said Ms Bradfield.
“Although South Canterbury communities have featured strongly in previous Weedbuster awards, there will be many under-appreciated local volunteers that don’t know about them. They may also be unaware there are active regional and national Weedbuster networks they could plug into for help and advice,” said Ms Bradfield.
Environment Canterbury Councillor and Pest Chair Eugenie Sage said that the purpose of the awards is to give public recognition to people and communities who give freely of their time to fight a dirty and unglamorous war against weeds.
“The awards seek to encourage the groups and individuals in our communities who often work quietly and unseen on weed control. 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity and so their valuable work is more relevant than ever. Ongoing Weedbusting can play a crucial role in successful restoration projects.” said Cr Sage.
If you think of a local school/group/individual to put forward for the 2010 Weedbuster awards, please visit www.weedbusters.org.nz or contact Gemma Bradfield (Environment Canterbury) 03 364 9860 to make your nomination. Entries close March 31.
Environment Canterbury Pest Management Committee Chair Councillor Eugenie Sage, can be contacted on (03) 329 3177 or 021 155 3937.