BECOME A FRIEND OF OUR RIVERS
Friends of Awa Matakanakana (FOAM) recognises the importance of protecting the environmental, cultural, historical, commercial and recreational values of the river system and the wider Kawau Bay for present and future generations.
FOAM’s principal aim is the restoration and maintenance of a healthy Sandspit Estuary and the two rivers that feed into it, Matakana River (14.2 km long) and Glen Eden River (13.8 km long).
If, like us, you care about the health of our local environment, join Friends of Awa Matakanakana (FOAM). The more people who support FOAM and know about what we are trying to achieve – the better chance FOAM will have of protecting and improving the health of the streams, rivers, wetlands, the tidal estuary, and our environment.
Make a difference to the ecological health and biodiversity of Matakana River, Glen Eden River, Sandspit Estuary and Kawau Bay.
Many of FOAM’s activities are fieldwork based in the beautiful, natural surroundings of Matakana’s streams, rivers and the estuary. Contact FOAM and have a friendly chat with one of our members before committing yourself to lend a hand with any of the activities shown below.
FOAM’s blog and newsletters tell more about the activities of activities volunteers are involved in.
WATER QUALITY SAMPLING
A fun and informative sampling session takes place at eleven sites throughout Matakana every three months and takes approximately four hours to complete.
SHELLFISH MONITORING
Annually, FOAM monitors shellfish at Sandspit estuary. The interesting activity takes between two and three hours to complete. Often, local school students participate.
WETLAND CREATION
Transform farmland into wetlands and protect river banks from erosion at a FOAM planting day. Somea re small and others take half a day. Wetlands are vital in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
TURBIDITY MONITORS
FOAM’s sediment sensors in Matakana and Glen Eden rivers require cleaning once a fortnight. It takes about one hour to complete and at other times the equipment needs to be maintained to withstand the forces freshwater.
DATA MANIPULATION
FOAM needs assistance from volunteers with Excel or GIS skills. These tasks help FOAM monitor changes in the freshwater catchment, and understand the impact of mitigation efforts.
COMMUNICATION AND ADVOCACY
Volunteers with storytelling skills and the ability to use online media are welcome. FOAM makes submissions to local and national Government groups is also needed. FOAM continues to develop its relationship with our local iwi, Ngāti Manuhiri, through regular updates.
Email us now to find out more matakanakana2@gmail.com or download a membership form and email it to us.
2024 subscription rates are:
Individual membership $20
Household membership $30
Organisation membership $30
Words from a Friends of Awa Matakanakana champion
Diving into the sparkling sea is my absolute favourite summer activity. This is why I joined FOAM as a water tester.
Growing up holidaying in Kawau Bay, the routine of the every-morning swim, and the any other time swim, has been in my life for as long as I can remember. I want Kawau Bay to keep being the glorious watery playground that we love.
What’s so special about it? It’s cool and clear, sprats randomly leap out in front of me, there are cool patches and warm patches, it’s sandy underfoot, the bay isn’t too big. And exploring the bays from kayaks and yachts, it’s bliss. As a family, we’ve never taken this for granted. We all love these summer highlights, every generation, four generations so far.
When I saw an advert for FOAM and saw that it values what I treasure, I signed up.
Water testing is interesting. The vastness of the catchments had not occurred to me before. All the hills we can see drain into Kawau Bay. I knew nothing about nitrate levels, turbidity, macroinvertebrates. Now I’m hooked on the critters. The caddisflies are super cool, putting on different outer layers to stay hidden. The different mayflies are so distinctive too. Information booklets show us what we’re looking at. I look forward to the testing day, it’s definitely a different day out.
Sue – September 2024
Friends of Awa Matakanakana 