Newsletter, Christmas 2022
It has been a pretty busy year for OME with wetland restoration, trapping, and plans to expand. We are currently in the community engagement phase of the expansion project and will be talking to many of you over the coming months about our plans - and how we would love for you to be involved. A new community hub will be erected near the Community Garden after the holidays.
The OME committee has grown over the last year, and now has 14 committee members and keen volunteers. There is visible progress in the wetland, we have had an article in the Forest and Bird magazine and have produced a very comprehensive progress report, covering all aspects of our work through the first 3 years.
If you would like to read either of these two, please find the links to these and other tidbits on our brand new web page: https://www.omeaotea.co.nz
OME has a few events planned over the summer; we would like to invite you all to:
Wetland Wander - starting with a guided walk through the wetland - ending up with afternoon tea at the OME chairperson’s property overlooking the wetland. This is an opportunity for you to ask us any questions you might have about the wetland restoration work, and a chance to see for yourself what we have achieved.
Jan 21st at 3.30pm. Meet us at the northern end of Sandhills Road.
Wetland Talk - with speakers covering
The cultural significance of wetlands
OME’s work to date and plans for the future
Carbon sequestration in wetlands, and
An update from DoC’s on-island pāteke ranger.
Feb 25th, 1-3pm. In the new room at St. John’s Community Church.
Please keep an eye on our webpage or Facebook page for potential updates on dates and times.
Every Wednesday morning (unless it is bucketing down) there is a working bee, where we either plant, or tackle some persistent weeds, mostly in the wetland. If you would like to be part of this fun, rewarding work and have a couple of hours to spare, please let us know, so we can tell you where we will be meeting from week to week. Email us medlandsecovision@gmail.com or phone/text Lotte on 029 770 5111.
If you come across a vespula (common or german) wasp nest over the summer months, we have a team of trained vespex contractors who can deal to the nest for you. Nests are usually hollows in the ground and are a problem for native insects and birds. Contact us on medlandsecovision@gmail.com or 029 770 5111.
Find out more about vespula wasps here: https://www.kiwicare.co.nz/advice/pests/how-to-find-wasp-nests/
Follow us on Facebook: Oruawharo Medlands Ecovision
Email us: medlandsecovision@gmail.com
Find our webpage: omeaotea.co.nz
Enjoy your summer in Oruawharo Bay, the OME team.
