freddie flaxseed was not happy

Let me tell you a story

Freddie was not happy

Back in 1995, it took 18 hours to catch one fish in the Whaingaroa Harbour, New Zealand.

So Freddie asked “Does anyone care that every time it rains, our harbour turns brown and I can’t catch a fish?”

“Not I”, said the Council.“Not I”, said the fishermen.“Not I”, said the businesses.“Not I”, said the farmers.

So Freddie called a meeting

And the people said “We want a clean harbour, where our kids can swim, where the fish are jumping,

where dolphins play!”

… and where seahorses frolic!

So Freddie listened

“Let’s plant trees”, the people said. “If we plant trees next to the streams and harbour, they’ll stop the runoff of

sediment and nutrients.

Freddie thought this was a great idea.

Trees will stop the harbour turning brown.

Who will help me grow the trees?

he asked.

“Not I”, said the Council.

“Not I”, said the fishermen.

“Not I”, said the businesses.

“Not I”, said the farmers.

“We will”, said the people.

So Freddie set up a nursery.

And grew some trees…

About a million of them.

Who will help me plant the trees? he asked

“Not I”, said the fishermen.

“Not I”, said the businessmen.

“What’s in for me?” asked the farmer.

“Mmm, maybe”, said the Council.

“Love to help bro, but I’m a bit busy this week”, said the people.

Then, Freddie came up with a plan

1. Let’s work with the farmers who want trees and ask them to fence off some land.

2. Let’s ask the Council to pay part of the planting costs.

3. Let’s ask for donations, grants and sponsors to contribute to the costs as well.

4. Let’s employ people to plant 1 million trees.

And…

And 15 years later there were..... • 1 million trees in the ground.• 40 farmers participating in

the project.• 450 km of fences and trees

along harbour and stream edges throughout the catchment.

• Changed farm management practices.

• Improved water quality.• Improved marine and wildlife

habitats.

But best of all,

Freddie can now catch a fish...

Or two...

We believe every harbour deserves a Freddie

F = Farmers and landowners able to participate.

R = Riparian planting and lots of fencing.

E = Energy and commitment.

D = Digging....lots of digging.

D = Donations, grants and sponsorship .

I = Investment by local govt, business and community.

E = Employment opportunities.

Whaingaroa Harbour CareFor more information on how to improve

your harbour, contact us at: fred@harbourcare.co.nz

Or check out our website: www.harbourcare.co.nz