Group volunteering: Love our wetlands together on Waiheke

Waiheke Resources Trust (WRT) is all about creating a great place to live, and undertakes programmes that encourage community development and ecological sustainability on Waiheke Island. Through our Love Our Wetlands project, WRT is working to restore eight significant wetland areas on Waiheke - Matietie Headland, Owhanake, Te Huruhi Bay Reserve, Okahuiti, Rangihoua, Awaawaroa Bay Reserve and Te Matuku - each of which has unique historical, cultural, ecological and environmental value.

Love Our Wetlands takes a 'whole of landscape’ ecological approach to restoring wetlands. Through this mahi, we are creating vibrant habitats where our native species can thrive and communities are connected.

Toitū te marae a Tane Toitū te marae a Tangaroa Toitū te iwi - If the land is well and the sea is well, we the people will thrive.

LOWW welcomes corporate, community and school groups looking to engage with environmental projects through a day of volunteering in the field with our team. We'd love groups to assist in manual weed control, planting native trees, releasing natives and caring for previous plantings.

By participating in this group volunteering opportunity you are helping achieve the following United Nations SDGs:

• Goal 6 - Clean water and sanitation
• Goal 11 - Sustainable cities and communities
• Goal 13 - Climate action
• Goal 14 - Life below water
• Goal 15 - Life on land

LOGISTICS

Groups are able to volunteer Tues, Wed, Thurs, departing on the 9AM ferry sailing from Downtown Auckland and typically volunteer from 10am - 3pm. This includes a lunch break.

If these days don't suit, we are able to host groups on other days provided a $500 flat fee to cover our staffing costs.

You can book your return ferry from Waiheke at a time to suit, depending on any after-work activities, or purchase an open return ticket. Groups must cover the cost of ferry tickets themselves.

Transfers on the island are provided free of charge by WRT to and from the work site for groups of max 18 volunteers.

Please wear outdoor working clothes (long sleeves and long trousers are preferable to avoid grass scratches and rashes) and sturdy shoes or gumboots. Bring rain gear for wet weather, hats and sunscreen for sunny weather and gardening gloves if you have them.

Please bring your own lunch, snacks and drinks. The team will need plenty of water for the day so it's best if each team member brings their own water bottle. Alcohol cannot be consumed during the working day due to health & safety.

NOTE:

• Groups of 5-50 volunteers welcome.
• Some of the work sites can be quite steep, slippery and rough in case of mobility issues.
• Most sites do not have nearby toilet facilities. A portaloo can be hired if required; please communicate this in advance.

COSTS:

• $15pp hosting cost for corporate groups; this covers the purchase and care of one native eco-sourced tree.
• Groups must cover ferry tickets themselves.
• On-island transport fees to and from site for groups of 18+ people.

CORPORATE / COMMUNITY / SCHOOL GROUPS WELCOME - NOT AN INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY

Watch our video to learn more: Loving our wetlands together