Tributaries of the Otukaikino River provide potential valuable trout spawning reaches. These areas are being enhanced and protected.

Volunteer at Styx River

Styx Mill Conservation Reserve Planting Day

Date: Sunday 10 July.

Time: 10.30am to 12.30am.

Details: Help Christchurch City Council Rangers and Trees for Canterbury plant native trees and shrubs at the Groynes.

Location: Entrances on Husseys Road (more parking) or Styx Mill Road. Follow the signs to find the planting site. 

Register: Please register your interest in an event by contacting Park Ranger Andrew Christie at andrew.christie@ccc.govt.nz.

The Groynes Planting Day

Date: Sunday 3 October.

Time: 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Details: Help Christchurch City Council Rangers and Trees for Canterbury plant native trees and shrubs at the Groynes.

Location: Meet at the Groynes.

Register: Please register your interest in an event by contacting Park Ranger Andrew Christie at andrew.christie@ccc.govt.nz.

Bird monitoring programme

The Bird monitoring programme(external link) is the first Saturday of every month at 9am.

Meet in the Styx Mill Conservation Reserve car park, off Styx Mill Road.

Bring sturdy outdoor clothing and footwear in case conditions are wet and muddy. If you can, bring a pen and paper, binoculars and a camera/phone.

For more information contact Antony.Shadbolt@ccc.govt.nz.

Water quality monitoring programme

The water quality monitoring programme(external link) is the third Saturday of every month at 10am.

Meet at the Styx Trust laboratory, located inside the Ranger Base at 130 Hussey Road, Harewood.(external link)

Bring sturdy outdoor clothing and footwear in case conditions are wet and muddy. You will be given instructions on how to take water samples, measurements and observations, and be paired with another volunteer.

Register your attendance by emailing styxwq@gmail.com.

Freshwater invertebrate monitoring programme

The Freshwater invertebrate monitoring programme(external link) monitors freshwater invertebrate and is important in determining changes in habitat, aquatic plants and invertebrate over time.

This programme was active up until the earthquakes and is currently looking for enthusiastic assistance to get restarted. If you can help, contact the Trust(external link).

Join Council rangers in some of our stunning regional parks across the city for community planting days to help with park maintenance.

The Styx Living Laboratory Trust(external link) runs regular working bees focusing on biodiversity monitoring. The Trust was set up in 2002 to develop Styx Mill into a living laboratory focused on learning and research in the Styx River catchment.

What to bring

  • Weather appropriate clothing – layers, rain jacket, hat
  • Sturdy boots or gumboots
  • Gardening gloves
  • Water bottle and snack