PROJECTS
Between the Two Rivers has several ongoing projects that all share the common goal of making our catchment a better place. With the hardwork of our team and support of the community we hope these projects will create meaningful change. Read more about what we have been doing below.
Seed Pod Trials
November 2023
This trial was led by our Upstream Coordinator, Ainsley Harte, and kindly funded by Pan Pac Environmental Trust. Project partners were Envico Technologies and Hawke's Bay Regional Council (HBRC). The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of "seed pods" dropped via drone in revegetating cyclone-damaged hillside in the Hawke's Bay with native plant species. We are excited to say that the trial has had a promising start with germination evident only two months after the seed pods were dropped.
Please find the seed pod trial report linked below and check out the photos from the project attached!
Tom’s – Tree Lucerne, Flax, Cabbage Tree, Mānuka, Kanuka Graeme’s – Mānuka, Kanuka, Cabbage Tree, Black Matipo, Kōwhai
Tom’s – Tree Lucerne, Flax, Cabbage Tree, Mānuka, Kanuka Graeme’s – Mānuka, Kanuka, Cabbage Tree, Black Matipo, Kōwhai
Lake Runanga is the largest lake in our catchment. It has had historically poor water quality which we hope to help improve.
These small fish are usually found in shoals, estuaries and lowland rivers. They are only rarely found in lakes, surprisingly their DNA was found in Lake Runanga.
Lake Runanga is the largest lake in our catchment. It has had historically poor water quality which we hope to help improve.
Lake Runanga Water Testing Project
December 2023
Water samples were collected from Rūnanga Lake in December 2023 using sampling kits provided by the Environmental Protection Agency and examined for environmental DNA (eDNA) by Wilderlab in Wellington.
Wilderlab classified Rūnanga Lake as ‘very poor’. This is consistent with previous classifications based on low clarity, high nutrient concentrations and sparse macrophytes. Several animal, invertebrates and fish species DNA was also identified. Most surprisingly, a freshwater jellyfish that arrived from China in the 1950s was detected for the first time.
Please click the button below to read the full report.