Since the inception of the MGI and WDI Environmental Fund in 2017/2018, around $135,000 has been awarded to scheme shareholders and community groups in support of worthy projects that benefit and enhance our environment.
Of the nine applications submitted for the 2023/24 MGI and WDI Environmental Funds, 100% were successfully awarded funding towards their nominated projects.
Below are some of the projects that have been funded – updated photos will be uploaded as and when they are received.
Whitney's Creek - Stream Protection
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Sediment loss mitigation
Improvement in water quality
Indigenous biodiversity enhancement
Indigenous vegetation planting along the Waikakahi Stream.
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Sediment loss mitigation
Establishing and enhancing indigenous biodiversity and habitat
Native plantings and fencing-off riparian area
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Biodiversity restoration
Mitigation of sediment runoff into the Waikakahi Stream
Stock exclusion
A Yearly Riparian Planting Project
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Protection of wetland area that could contain mudfish
Wetland enhancement
Following on from stage one, further willow clearance has taken place and 2000 additional plants have been planted.
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Sediment loss mitigation
Indigenous biodiversity enhancement
Willow tree clearance for improved water flow
Native plantings alongside the Waikakahi Stream walkway.
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Improved indigenous biodiversity
Sediment loss mitigation
Enhanced experience for walkway track users
Wetland enhancement at the head of a spring.
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Filtration of nutrients from run-off resulting in improved water quality
Improved indigenous biodiversity
Improved habitat for native species
Two-stage riparian enhancement project on the back of willow tree removal work involving the planting of approximately 2000 native plants.
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Sediment loss mitigation
Indigenous biodiversity enhancement
Willow tree clearance for improved water quality
Enhancement project to create habitat and improve on farm biodiversity.
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Improved indigenous biodiversity
Management of sediment and run-off from hill catchment
Riparian planting along a 400m section of the lower main race.
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Establishment of habitat for improved indigenous biodiversity
Stock exclusion
Buffer for sediment loss and run-off leading to improved water quality
Native plantings along approximately 2km of the headwaters of the Waikakahi Stream.
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Improved water quality benefits for the wider Waikakahi Catchment as a result of reduced sediment runoff
Establishment and enhancement of habitat and biodiversity.
Further development and enhancement of riparian planting along the Waikakahi and Dog Kennel Stream.
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Improved protection and permanent protection for Canterbury mudfish and freshwater crayfish.
Erosion mitigation and improved water quality
Improved indigenous biodiversity
Recreation and enhancement of a pond previously formed as a result of borderdyke run-off but no longer in existence due to conversion to spray irrigation.
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Establishment of habitat and indigenous biodiversity enhancement
Sediment loss mitigation
Development of a sediment retention and filtering wetland at the confluence of intermittently flowing swales.
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Filter sediments and nutrients before run-off from upper catchment drains from the property
Indigenous biodiversity enhancement
Stage one of a three stage project along a 2.5km fully fenced waterway.
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Reduction of hill country erosion and sediment run-off
Indigenous biodiversity enhancement
Development of a wetland along an intermittent waterway
Establishment of a wetland and biodiversity enhancement through permanent exclusion of stock and native planting.
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Management of sediment and run-off from surrounding catchment
Improved Critical Source Area management
Permanent fencing of Te Mako Creek to enable the protection of the threatened Canterbury mudfish.
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Protection of the most threatened of all New Zealand mudfish species
Erosion and sediment control
Establish and enhance biodiversity and habitat
Riparian planting project on land that has been retired.
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Erosion and sediment control
Establishing and enhancing indigenous biodiversity and habitat
This project involved the return of a Pinus radiata block to indigenous vegetation to mitigate erosion and protect the creek below.
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Indigenous biodiversity enhancement
Erosion and sediment runoff mitigation
Protecting/improving water quality
This project supports the fencing (7km) and planting (300m) work previously undertaken.
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Improvement in water quality
Soil erosion prevention
Biodiversity enhancement - return of species
This project involved fencing off a critical source area/swale and the planting of 2,500 plants.
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Improved biodiversity - indigenous vegetation
Sediment trap will filter nutrients and sediment
Protection of a waterway
This project follows on from the water quality improvement projects already occurring within the catchment.
PROJECT BENEFITS:
Improved water quality be removing willow litter
Bank erosion mitigation