Students’ sign gives important message

Awahou students support Check, Clean, Dry

Students from Awahou School in the Manawatu region are using their artistic flair to communicate an important message in a new Check, Clean, Dry sign installed at Raumai Reserve.

The sign is a partnership between the school, Horizons Regional Council and Manawatu District Council to remind river users of the need to check, clean, dry, when they move between waterways, to stop the spread of freshwater pests.

Horizons Check, Clean, Dry advocate Andrew Watt says it is fantastic to have involvement from the school in developing a sign for their community.

“We asked the students to create a sign that shows why the Pohangina River is important to them. They’ve included fishing, swimming, wildlife and clear water – all things that can be wrecked by freshwater pests.

“For Awahou students the river is their playground and they want to look after it. For all of us Check, Clean, Dry is about protecting our patch, our river or lake.

“It also means we have a sign that will be owned and looked after by the community. The students have done a brilliant job,” Mr Watt said.

One of the artists behind the sign, Halam Jensen, described its creation as a group effort that took about a month to complete.

“We all thought about what the river means to us, what we like to see there and what we enjoy,” Halam said.

“We then put our ideas on the table and chose the best ones to go on the board.”

Raumai Reserve is located at the beginning of the Pohangina Valley. The sign will be seen by picnickers and swimmers using the reserve as well as by those travelling up the valley to Totara Reserve and the Ruahine Ranges.

“This sign is just one way of reminding people that a few simple steps can protect our rivers, streams and lakes from freshwater pests like didymo,” Halam said.

The Horizons Check, Clean, Dry team are happy to attend community events or speak to fishing, tramping and other outdoor and water sports groups.

To find out about Check, Clean, Dry see http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests/didymo/cleaning  or call Horizons on tollfree number 0508 800 800