“It’s been amazing to see how life can flourish if you leave it for a time, so biodiversity can rejuvenate and repopulate. It’s been special for my eyes because Hokianga is my home and I don’t want it to be wrecked. I made an action plan to face the council, because the Hokianga needs to be rejuvenated and protected like this. The fish life and marine life were my highlight- and the cave!” –Waikoru Wikaira, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Tonga o Hokianga.“How good the fish is and the kingfish and how clear it was. We’ve been learning how to look after the sea. I felt really safe and well looked after by everyone.” – Awanuiarangi Bedggood-Kaiawe, Te Rangi Aniwaniwa. “I’m mostly a gatherer, but this was just a great opportunity to watch and see what’s going on. It’s important that we look after our kai moana and limit our catch. It’s been beautiful to see the marine life and the caves. It really shows how taking care of our marine life is paramount to us. It’s beautiful to see.” –Whiti Noa (parent/guardian).EMR were recently recognized for environmental action in the community and won the Te Tohu Matua-Supreme Award at Northland Regional Council’s annual ‘Whakamānawa ā Taiao - Environmental Awards, recognising their long and outstanding contribution to Northland’s environment over the last 20 years.The community guided snorkel days are a great way for community members of all ages to experience and enjoy their local marine environment while raising awareness about why marine conservation is needed. The Trust have an active focus on marine conservation and together with the Whitebait Connection, restoration of catchments, from the Mountains to the Sea. Much conservation remains to be accomplished through community and schoolbased experiences and we want you to continue this journey with them.By creating an Endowment Fund for the Mountains To Sea Conservation Trust with the Northland Community Foundation the Trust has provided the facility for staff, members, volunteers and the community to donate into a fund which will create a sustainable source of income for the Trust’s operations forever.Samara Nicholas, MNZM - Poutokomanawa/ Co-director - Marine Lead for the Trust has led the way by making a bequest in her Will for the Fund. Samara says “By making this gift I am ensuring the sustainability of the Trust into the future, for our children. There is so much hard work that goes into trying to find annual operating funding, that if we create an Endowment Fund we won’t have this worry anymore”.Article produced by Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust.To find out more about the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust Fund click here: https://northlandcommunityfoundation.org.nz/giving/funds/environment/mountains-to-sea-conservation-trust/
