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$7,600 will help signpost Rawhitiroa Wetland wildlife

Posted under: Media release, News from the field, Tracks and trails

Published 12 February 2019

Wild for Taranaki has received $7,600 to build interpretation and education signs along its planned Rawhitiroa Wetland Walk. The Commission is now looking for more applications for its fund.

The grant comes from the Walking Access Commission. Wild for Taranaki, also known as the Taranaki Biodiversity Trust, is restoring the Taranaki wetland area close to Eltham. 

Wild for Taranaki is building tracks in the area, which will be open to the public to share the value that wetlands provide to the Taranaki region. When complete, the Rawhitiroa Wetland Walk will be a kilometre long. 

Along the walk, education signs will share information on four topics - mudfish, wetlands, restored communities, and collaboration. 

Kirstin Foley, Wild for Taranaki’s General Manager, says the wetlands around Taranaki are incredibly rare and diverse. 

"We want to rebuild a place where local Taranaki people see the native plants and animals that thrive in our province, unthreatened by invasive species. Families will be able to learn about mātātā fernbirds and long-finned tuna that live among the raupō." 

Kirstin Foley says she hopes the wetland walk will eventually link up with the existing Rotokare Sanctuary. 

The Walking Access Commission’s local Regional Field Advisor Kevin Ross says the new signs will improve walkers’ experience of the wetland walk.

"This will be a short, easy walk that people of all ages can use to learn about the nature and history of their area."

Wild for Taranaki’s Rawhitiroa Wetland Project is supported by the South Taranaki District Council (which owns the land) as well as Taranaki Regional Council and the Eltham Community Board. 

The Commission is currently seeking applicants for its Enhanced Access Fund grants. The fund has a total pool of $100,000 available over two application rounds each financial year. The second round of applications is open until 31 March. 

Application forms, guidelines and further details about the application process are available on the Enhanced Access Fund page of the Commission’s website. 

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Photo credit:  Stella McQueen | DOC