28 June 2010
Three members of the Centennial Park Bush Society have been recognised for their dedication and commitment in the 2010 Regional Weedbusters Awards.
The awards pay tribute to local heroes who volunteer their time to enhance the environment and help raise awareness of weed issues within the community. This includes community groups, organisations and individuals.
Richard Hursthouse, Chairman of the Centennial Park Bush Society, Campbells Bay, received a commended in the 'Individual - public land' category of the awards for his efforts in spotting weeds on the North Shore and his work organising weeding bees in both Centennial Park and Northcote’s Tuff Crater Reserve.
Jan and Stan Knight, also from the Centennial Park Bush Society, received a commended in the 'Individual - public land' category of the Weedbusters awards for working to eliminate weeds from the park, as well as for their achievement in growing hundreds of eco-sourced plants for the project in their backyard.
“The spread of weeds is a huge threat to our environment. Our community relies on volunteers like Richard, Jan and Stan, who are passionate about protecting our parks for the future,” says Nicki Malone, Parks Officer.
“It was a fitting week for the volunteers to be rewarded, as they received the awards during Volunteer Awareness Week, which acknowledges volunteers from all over the country.
“The recipients are well deserving of the award, bearing in mind that it is not always glamorous work eradicating weeds,” says Nicki.
The biennial awards are open to all who volunteer their time to weed management and education. The awards recognise weed management initiatives across all land types: private, public, rural, urban and coastal. They also recognise weed awareness and education efforts.
For more information about volunteering to eradicate weeds in our parks, please contact Nicki Malone on 486 8600.
For more information on the Weedbusters programme and awards, see weedbusters.co.nz.