The Hawke's Bay Environmental Awards are open now to anyone working on an environmental project in the region. Entries for the awards close on 15 July.
The awards working group would like to see more entries in the rural category.
“We have seen fewer rural entries in recent years and accept that farmers may have been reluctant to enter because of the effect of drought conditions on both their farm and their time,” says Cr Dave Pipe (Napier City) who chairs the awards working group.
However, he says he knows farmers are still working on specific projects that show excellent leadership in environmental care. Projects focused on pest control, protecting and enhancing bush, planting out riparian areas, or giving wetlands a biodiversity boost can be entered.
“We aren’t just looking for ‘whole farm’ award winners, although we have had superb examples in past years. We would like to encourage the whole range of valuable work farmers do in protecting and enhancing their environment. Projects such as enhancing a wetland or stream can show real leadership and have lessons for the wider regional community.”
And he says that farmers can also be nominated by people who know them well, and see the value of their work.. Information on how to enter and entry forms can be downloaded from this website.
Past Hawke’s Bay Environmental Award rural winners are: Hylton and Wendy McDermott for sustainable farming including wetland enhancement and bush protection at ‘Kotare’, Maraetotara (2006); Malcolm and Rohan O’Dwyer for a life long commitment to sustainable farming at their property, Morningstar at Tikokino. (2005); David and Ngaire Bryant of Kereru, Hastings RD1 for extensive land management programmes to improve their farm environment, as well as farmer education (2004); and Ewan McGregor (who has since become a Regional Councillor) for his long-term commitment to encouraging sustainable farming and silviculture (2003). A number of other farmers have also achieved “Highly Commended”.
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