Join our field trip to learn about Timaru’s key waterways

Do you want to learn more about Timaru’s key waterways and local lagoon? Come along to the Orari Temuka Opihi Pareora (OTOP) water zone committee's upcoming field trip.

Field trip details

The event, which will take place on 1 December from 1-4pm, gives you the chance to learn about key water quality issues - including the impacts of human activity on land and water.

You will also get the opportunity to meet your local water zone committee members during this free half-day trip.

The first stop will be at Waitarakao Washdyke Lagoon at 1pm, followed by a visit to the Eco Centre Timaru where discussions will take place on the work under way in the Otipua-Saltwater Creek catchment.

After the field trip, you can join the OTOP's water zone committee meeting at the Timaru District Council at 3.30pm.

Fantastic opportunity

OTOP water zone committee chair Lucy Millar said she is really looking forward to the field trip event, especially hearing about the work that’s already underway at Otipua Saltwater Creek.

"I think it's important we continue to shine a light on the great work the Otipua-Saltwater Creek catchment group has undertaken," she said.

The group was established in October 2018 with the aim to provide an opportunity for local people to connect and contribute to the improvement of the unique waterway.

Some of the actions it has taken include sharing information to landowners on good management practices that protect water quality, arranging farm visits and looking for in-stream life, helping with plantings and encouraging industry and household actions to improve urban stormwater.

Lucy said the field trip will also give the public an opportunity to learn about the upcoming plans for Waitarakao Lagoon.

"The lagoon provides significant habitat for many seabirds and is an important mahinga kai site for Arowhenua," she said.