Saturday, November 15, 2008

AUCKLAND, AAP- Almost a tonne of trash, including "massive" tractor tyres, were collected from Lake Ferry beach by students from Pirinoa School last week.

Thirty school pupils were joined by Department of Conservation staff, Rotarians, a dozen parents, a number of local residents in a beach clean-up organised by South Wairarapa Rotary environment team.

In a scenario similar to the Seaweek clean-up at Onoke Spit, the group was overwhelmed by the amount of tyres discarded on the beach."They counted around 50 of differing sizes, including some massive tractor tyres," DOC community relations programme manager Amanda Cosgrove says.

"Children used sticks and strength to try and dig them from the beach, and quad bikes were used to drag them clear. Some had to be left as they were too deep to reach."

Amanda says the DOC team was impressed by the children's effort.

"It's a long walk along the beach to Whangaimoana where lunch was organised by DOC and Rotarians. These clean-ups require a lot of support to administer and a lot of rubbish was collected."

At the tip the collection weighed in at almost a tonne of rubbish.

"The students were well organised and prepared to show their parents what didn't belong on the beach.

"The determination they showed means that the future of conservation looks to be in good hands!" said Amanda Cosgrove.

Article reproduced courtesy of Fiji Times Online - http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=106306