Community Planting Day Watea Reserve with STEPS

Join us for a community planting day as we team up with STEPS (St Lukes Environmental Protection Society) to support their restoration efforts of Waitītiko / Meola Creek!

We’ll be planting in Watea Reserve, which sits on an overland flow path that heads into the awa (stream). This area is boggy and prone to flooding in heavy rain. The plants we put in the ground will help slow flood waters down and stop excess sediment from washing into the waterway.

These native plants also act like natural filters. They soak up nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus that wash off our streets during rain. Without plants to capture them, these nutrients can enter the awa and harm the native creatures that live there, as well as reduce overall water quality.

Flooding is a natural process and it isn’t going anywhere. It is also becoming more frequent with changes in climate. However, we can make space for water and work towards restoring the balance between people and water.

Recreating natural habitats that allow water to breathe or flow as it should do are an important step in this and in building our overall flood resilience.

We will also have the 'Flood Table' on display for people to interact with and explore how changing aspects of the stream alters how waters flows/pools elswhere!...