Sign for better future at Marfells

A newly-installed information sign on the entrance to Marfells Beach Campground is expected to instill knowledge and remind visitors of their responsibilities to the environment.

The sign is a collaboration between the East Coast Protection Group, Rangitane o Wairau, the Department of Conservation, Marlborough District Council, The Better Half and Greywacke Wines.

East Coast Protection Group’s Will Parsons believes the signage will play a significant role in instilling the importance of caring for local wildlife.

“We want to make people aware of why this area is so precious and worth protecting for a range of reasons, and it’s just having good principles and policies about where you walk on the beach, being mindful of where birds are and moving away if distressed.

“Visitors are often overlooked in environmental efforts but we have locals who come because it’s a cool place in our backyard, visitors that come traditionally, and internationals who will learn more about the history and reasons we collectively protect this place - especially as the Whale Trail extends through here.

“We’re very fortunate that since the Jobs for Nature funding ended, we’ve had the support from Council, DoC, Rangitane o Wairau and sponsors - it’s a real team effort showing they appreciate what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.”

The support for the ECPG came as a worthwhile accident for George Elworthy, who represents The Better Half Wine label, which sponsors the group’s efforts.

“We’d just landed on the airstrip here and bumped into a few ECPG members who told me about the work they were doing and got swept along a bit because Marfells Beach is on our back doorstep, it’s beautiful and has so much character,” said George.

“Once the Jobs for Nature funding dried up, it was clear we’d achieved a lot already and it’d be a pity to see it die, so definitely pleased to be here today.”

Rangitāne o Wairau’s Jeff Hynes said the information sign also tells the story of the beach, Cape Campbell and Lake Grassmere through a Māori history lens,

“It’s good that we can collaborate with community and government agencies, as this place has a lot of significance to our people and supporting these efforts show community togetherness.

“Everyone here comes from different interests, but everybody's able to compromise and put their own little personal things aside.

“It makes more people alert to if people aren't meeting expectations with the environmental treatment and rubbish and things like that, and I hope it gets campers here to step up for this beautiful place.

“Visitors can now learn of this place, and I see people from all over the world taking that history and knowledge away.”

And while he’s pleased to reveal the new information board, Will says “It doesn't stop where we are”, for the ECPG.

“There’s plans to extend our trapline further north to the Saltworks intake, protecting Caspian Tern populations, and we want a few more volunteers in the trapping group, as well as a similar board at Ward Beach.”