Waiomu environment group wins grant

Waiomu-based group Education 2021 has been granted $5,500 by Environment Waikato to help with its local environmental efforts.

The group has been given $2,000 by the Regional Council to erect signage along the Coast to Kauri Trail. The trail is a 90 minute walk 14 kilometres north of Thames starting at the Waihou Domain.

In addition, Environment Waikato has also provided $3,500 to help Education 2021 promote the Pohutukawa Festival – a community event to raise money for the planting, care and protection of pohutukawa trees.

The grant was one of nine approved by the Regional Council this week from its Environmental Initiatives Fund. Regional Councillor Evan Penny said Environment Waikato has budgeted to allocate $240,000 during the current financial year for community-based environmental initiatives.

"Education 2021 is a good example of a group getting out and making a tangible difference to our community and we're happy to support it," Cr Penny said.