Cubs take up spades and spin rods — growing habitat and future anglers

When Cromwell Cubs leader Jonwin Hellewell took her group to a planting day with Otago Fish & Game at Lake Dunstan, she wasn't sure how it would go. What happened next surprised her.

"At the planting day they sat and listened for a whole hour. They were completely engaged. It was amazing," Ms Hellewell said.

Cromwell Cubs (from left) Willow Templer (8), Victor Pavlenko (8), Thomas Lush (7), Te Maire Bain (7), Molly Mexted (6), James Howden (13), and Riley Pritchard (8) proudly show their catches during a Take A Kid Fishing event with Otago Fish & Game at Cromwell during spring (October 16). Photo: Mason Court

 

The Cubs weren't just listening — they were learning about native plants, ecosystems, and how their efforts would help other species. Then they got to work.

"They got into a system," Ms Hellewell said. "A couple of kids made the plant shelters, another couple transported the plants, and some helped Cole. They didn't need to be told."

The group planted 160 plants in an hour at Bendigo Wildlife Management Reserve near Cromwell, part of Otago Fish & Game's habitat restoration work that benefits anglers, game bird hunters and the wider community.

For Ms Hellewell, the planting day went towards the Cubs earning a community badge. Combined with an earlier fishing session at the private Molyneux Pond, it created a direct connection between conservation and outdoor recreation.

"They absolutely loved it at the pond," Ms Hellewell said. "Some of the kids have never fished before let alone caught a fish."

Cromwell Cubs listen to Otago Fish & Game officer Cole Briggs (centre) discuss native plants at Bendigo Wildlife Management Reserve at Lake Dunstan this month (November 20). Photo: Mason Court

Over the past few months, Fish & Game has run a series of planting days and fishing events with youth and community groups, connecting conservation and outdoor recreation. Across four groups, volunteers and Fish & Game staff planted 750 native plants that will provide food, shelter and breeding environments for game birds and other wildlife.

Many planting volunteers swapped their spades for spin rods, taking part in fishing sessions.

Otago Fish & Game officer Cole Briggs said the initiative has proved hugely successful in introducing new anglers to the sport and highlighting the need to protect habitat where recreational fishing and game bird hunting takes place.

More than 60 aspiring anglers were hosted at the pond in the past three months, resulting in almost 50 fish landed — an excellent result for mostly inexperienced participants.

"The feedback's been overwhelmingly positive," Mr Briggs said.

"By restoring habitat, we're directly benefiting freshwater sports fish, game birds, and many other wildlife species that we all value.”

"It's inspiring to see these groups go from a planting day with their hands in the dirt to a successful fishing trip. They see that their hard work protecting the environment is what sustains the world-class recreational opportunities we all enjoy."

Otago Fish & Game is looking into future autumn plantings for groups interested in participating in the Central Otago region.