Background to Otago Catchment Community Inc.
A diverse range of water bodies and land uses leads to many varied environmental challenges facing landowners throughout Otago. Land users are successfully confronting these challenges by forming catchment groups, which are crucial in promoting positive environmental outcomes.
The Otago Catchment Community (OCC) is a group that represents catchment groups in Otago. OCC has been meeting informally since June 2018, with workshops convened by NZ Landcare Trust to facilitate and promote on farm good practice and sustainable land management. Our vision is:
To create and support an Otago wide network of catchment groups that are addressing environmental issues now and for generations to come.
The OCC vision is backed by our Values:
Recognise the Uniqueness of every Catchment Group
Support all Catchment Groups no matter their Size or Stage
Share Knowledge & Resources across the Region
Collaborate with the Otago Community and all Stakeholders
The OCC will work by coordinating and facilitating community catchment groups to achieve their vision. The OCC provides a legal structure and coordination function, whilst the individual catchment groups are focusing on issues of importance to them. There are currently 21 catchment groups established in the Otago region and others looking to establish themselves. Many groups are well underway with water testing, promotion of good management practices and ecosystem enhancement works while others are at the beginning of their journey. OCC aspirations are for an extensive programme that will support catchment groups and farmers to drive environmental change in areas that are important to their local community.