The Masterton District Council [MDC] Council Community Climate Fund has allocated its first round of funding to eight groups.
Advisory Group member and councillor Marama Tuuta said it is important a range of groups and activities are supported through the fund.
“One of the main aims is to try to involve as many people in the community as possible, coming from varying age groups – it is our children who will inherit the environment, so they need to be represented.
“One group alone can’t stop climate change. We need a lot of people involved to help us adapt,” Tuuta said.
All applications were assessed against their alignment with the climate action plan adopted by MDC last year, and the advantage they would bring to the Masterton District and its community.
Project and Centre Manager for the Wairarapa Community Centre [WCC] Beverley Jack told the Time-Age she was delighted WCC’s funding application had been successful, with $3250 allocated from the fund.
“We are using ours to make five bug hotels that will be situated in community and public spaces,” Jack said.
“We will be bringing the community together to make those bug houses.
“We have our first activity booked for this Thursday, which will be a part of a holiday programme.”
House of Science Wairarapa was allocated a grant of $3000 for its ‘A Load of Rubbish He Putunga Para’ science kit.
The kit includes activities that teach sustainable approaches to reducing the amount of rubbish that’s thrown away through the ‘6 Rs’ of resource management – rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and repair.
“We’re really excited to use the funds to purchase the Load of Rubbish science kit,” said Amanda Taylor, general manager of House of Science Wairarapa Charitable Trust.
“It will be used in all schools in Masterton, as well as most of the schools in the Wairarapa.”
The six other groups that received funding were:
Divine River Trust – allocated a grant of $7750 that will go towards the delivery of workshops focused on sustainable personal care products in the Masterton District;
Oxford St Community Garden – $7750 to employ a coordinator for four hours a week for the 2023-24 financial year to enable the increase of the size and impact of its gardens;
Sustainable Wairarapa – $7750 for setting up a working group to engage local stakeholders, develop resources, and train local ambassadors for its Take the Jump initiative in the Masterton District;
Te Āwhina Community Hub – $5000 for an electric bike or cargo bike to be stationed at the Community Hub;
Te Kura o Papatūānuku Wairarapa Earth School – $7750 for its Healthy Kai programme in the Masterton District;
The Shady Mellow – $7750 to go towards a part-time youth climate and sustainability leader to support sustainability projects at Shady Mellow and in the Masterton community.
