The Hibiscus Coast branch of the Royal Forest and Bird Society are always looking for volunteers to help in restoration work at the Raroa Reserve on Stanmore Bay Rd. For more information contact Pauline Smith on 09 426 4244.
The Council runs volunteer days at Long Bay, Mahurangi, Wenderholm and Shakespear parks every Tuesday. For more information please contact the council.
Shellfish monitoring
The council and the Department of Conservation support groups in the Rodney who carry out annual shellfish monitoring. Whangateau Harbour Care monitor two sites in the Whangateau Harbour: Lews Bay and the Causeway. Students from Mahurangi College involved with the Mahurangi Action Plan monitor Ngaio Bay in the Mahurangi Harbour.
Groups supported by the programme are provided with practical assistance and equipment to undertake annual shellfish surveys. Survey findings are entered into a database, reported to the community, and sent to the Ministry of Fisheries to inform the Hauraki Gulf State of the Environment Report. If you would like to get involved in coordinating a community shellfish survey contact the council.
Beach Clean-up
If you would like to organise a beach clean up please contact our Environmental Education Coordinator who will who will be able to assist you by providing rubbish bags, health and safety advice and information on how to dispose of the litter collected.
The Sir Peter Blake Trust aims to inspire awareness of the marine environment and has developed a Clean up Our Coast kit, providing schools and community groups with information about marine litter and details of how your rubbish collection data can be recorded and analysed. The kit can be downloaded from the Sir Peter Blake Trust website.
Dune Restoration
Dune systems play an important role in our coastal and beach zones. Not only are they home to range of unique bird and insect species, but they also provide an important buffer between the ocean and land. Dunes hold a reservoir of sand, helping to maintain a healthy beach and providing a dynamic range of habitats within and surrounding the dunes. By planting native dune plants we are helping to restore our dune systems to resemble their natural state, and ensuring they are able to behave as intended.
To find out how you would like to get involved contact your local coast care group.
