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What is Catchment Care?

Catchment Care is an initiative by Fonterra in partnership with non-profit organisation Conservation Volunteers to provide support for practical water-catchment care projects across New Zealand.

What does Catchment Care aim to achieve?

Catchment Care visibly demonstrates a community partnership approach to fostering sustainable, environmentally-friendly practice. We work in rural communities, alongside landowners, councils and community groups, on projects that enhance and protect waterways and wetlands.

We have annual targets with an overall target to enhance over 2 million square metres of New Zealand waterways, wetlands and catchment zones by 31 July 2012.

Why has Fonterra chosen to concentrate its efforts on water-catchment projects?

Waterways are relevant and vital to all Fonterra stakeholders both rural and urban - and they're important to the communities in which we operate. It makes sense for us to support water catchment projects, given the importance of the resource to us and our stakeholders. Fonterra is clearly focused on sustainability and supporting actions which promote it, both within our business and beyond where appropriate. This programme of activity will have impact beyond water quality for example carbon sequestration through tree planting, increased bio-diversity through provision of increased habitat for endangered species. It also allows for a mixed programme of activities such as riparian planting, rubbish clean-ups, fencing, weeding and removal of invasive species.

Why did Fonterra partner with Conservation Volunteers?

Conservation Volunteers have a strong history of volunteer work across New Zealand and Australia and extensive experience supporting both large and small environment projects, and are recognised internationally as leaders in the area of conservation volunteer recruitment and management. They are well connected to community conservation groups and have a great deal of experience working with regional councils and environmental groups at a national level, and building business-community partnerships that deliver significant conservation outcomes.

How does the partnership work?

Conservation Volunteers liaises with key environment stakeholders to identify appropriate projects. Projects are then reviewed and selected by the partners and project plans developed jointly. Volunteers are recruited and supervised whilst on site by Conservation Volunteers.

How are projects selected?

There has been a refocus for the programme this financial year (starting 1 August 2011). This has seen a reduction in project sites from over 50 to eight to allow more intensive support to key national or regional catchments, so we can have a greater impact on their ecological health.

What are the key projects for F12?

Yes, We are concentrating our efforts on the following projects: Pouto Peninsula Wetlands (Kaipara) in Northland; Horsham Downs Lakes (a grouping of three Waikato Peat Lakes: Lake Areare, Lake Pikopiko and Lake Hotoananga) in Waikato; Waipa Lakes (a grouping of three Waikato Peat Lakes: Lake Ngaroto, Lake Rotomanuka and Lake Serpentine) in Waikato; Manawatu River Estuary in Manawatu; Nowell's Lakes in Taranaki; Lake Ellesmere/ Te Waihora in Canterbury; Waihola - Waipori (Sinclair) Wetlands in Otago; and Waituna Awarua Wetlands in Southland.

Are projects approved by the relevant Regional Council?

Yes, projects will only be considered if there is a management plan in place.

Who can volunteer?

Basically anyone can volunteer. Conservation Volunteers has considerable experience working with volunteers from almost every age-group and sector. CVNZ will promote CatchmentCare projects both locally and overseas, providing regular opportunities for local community volunteers to work alongside volunteers from abroad and around New Zealand.

What responsibility do landowners / stakeholders have?

The project selection process requires that the project partner (conservation group or landholder) must make a significant contribution to the project in the form of materials, planning and post-project maintenance.

What is Fonterra getting out of this partnership?

Often our shareholders and employees tell us they want to get involved in local community programmes, especially those in areas where we have sites. Catchment Care provides that vehicle, but its success isn't dependent on how many of our own people can participate in local projects. We have the benefit of making a positive contribution in rural areas to environmental projects which will benefit local communities, including our shareholders and employees who live in these areas.

How is this partnership different to other environmental programmes?

The Catchment Care initiative does not work in isolation; rather it assists and supports the work done by other local and national groups. It provides practical assistance to implement priorities identified under established environmental management strategies such as the Clean Streams Accord.

Are only native plants used?

Plants are selected based of suitability to the site, relevant growth conditions and existing planting, this includes native plants.

For how many years will Catchment Care run?

Our initial commitment is for three years (July 2012) but it is intended as an ongoing programme and wanticipate that it will grow and expand.

What has been achieved thus far?

Catchment Care was launched in August 2009 and as at 31 July 2011 we have planted 119,733 stems in catchment zones, removed 273,797 square metres of exotic weed species, released and maintained 222,810 square metres of plants, fenced 4,612 metres of wetland and riparian areas, undertaken three plant surveys, as well as building and maintaining 21,766 metres of walking track. All of this has resulted in 1,564,386 square metres of overall area being improved.

How do you measure the overall area improved?

We have used the following conservative measurement formula for overall land improved in square metres:

• Stems planted: 4 square metres per stem positive impact
• Weeding: double the area weeded - just on a reduction of seed sources alone
• Plant Maintenance/ Releasing: double the area actually released [based on significantly increases planting survival rates and thus links to stems planted, and reduction of seed dispersal potential]
• Fencing: length x average of 20 metres to obtain actual area enclosed.