Council staff work with community Coast Care groups to help protect the coast. These groups are made up of people interested in the 11 beach parks on Christchurch’s Coast including residents, schools, beach visitors and conservationists.
What does Coast Care do?
- Protects the coast. We need to look after our coast to help provide a natural buffer between the sea and the land.
- Stabilises the dunes. Sand dunes are planted to stop the sand blowing onto the road and into people’s houses.
- Grows native plants. Special native plants grow in the sand that can survive the strong salty wind and dry, sandy soil. Native plants protect the sand dunes and provide food and shelter for our native birds and animals.
- Builds tracks, car parks and picnic areas. These amenities help to help people enjoy their visit to the beach and the coast.
- Encourages learning and research. Schools, universities and scientists use our coastal area to learn about this special natural environment.
The achievements have been made possible by a huge input from many voluntary and subsidised workers. Such groups include the Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust, schools, volunteer groups, periodic detention workers, the YMCA youth training scheme, subsidised employment schemes, as well as community groups and conservation organisations. This has resulted in a two-way benefit for the community, improving the beach parks and also giving its people valuable experiences for the future.
You can:
- Join a Coast Care group and/or take part in public planting days or beach clean-up events.
- Join a community planting day.
- Grow native plants for Coast Care (or your group) to plant in the sand dunes. We especially need help growing pingao, a native sandbinding plant. We can give you sand, seeds, trays and information on how to grow this plant.
- Arrange a school or group visit to the coast with one of our Coast Care staff.
- Keep your dog under control when you bring it to the beach. Observe local dog rules.
- Keep to access tracks, take your rubbish home with you and help us to look after the beach for everyone to enjoy.
Contact
Coast Care Park Ranger
Phone:
(03) 941 8999 Email:
coastcareparkranger@ccc.govt.nz
