FARMERS and growers in the Eastern Bay of Plenty have a valuable opportunity to expand their knowledge of freshwater ecosystems with Allegrow’s upcoming “There’s Something in the Water” seminars and field days.

These sessions, taking place in Ōpōtiki and Edgecumbe, will focus on understanding and protecting freshwater resources – a key issue in today’s environmental landscape.

The seminars will cover:

• Freshwater species and lifecycles – Understanding native and introduced species in local waterways.
• Fish passage – The importance of ensuring fish can move freely through rivers and streams.
• Water quality monitoring – Practical techniques for assessing and maintaining healthy waterways.
• Macroinvertebrates – How small aquatic creatures can indicate waterway health.
• Understanding water testing results – Learning how to interpret data and measure the impact of conservation efforts.
• A field day will follow with hands-on practical water quality monitoring and fish passage advice.

Leading the discussions are experts Kelly Hughes (ATS Environmental), Paul Scholes (Bay of Plenty Regional Council, and Fran van Alphen (Landcare Trust), all highly experienced in freshwater ecology and water quality management.

“There’s a big emphasis on protecting freshwater at the moment, and it can be really motivating to truly understand what we’re protecting and how to measure the impact of our efforts.

“These seminars will give farmers and growers the knowledge and tools to make real, measurable progress in freshwater stewardship”, Allegrow spokesperson Mel Brown said.