Develop community ownership of the restoration project, via participation and education. About the group: The Castlecliff Coast Care project has been in operation since 2007. It is well established, and currently receives regular support from Aranui and Castlecliff schools,Whanganui High School, City College, an IDEA’s community group, plus a number of adult volunteers. Since recording commenced in March 2009, the Coast Care Group volunteers have contributed 2,288 hours and the wider community 7,572 hours. In addition, for several years a coordinator has been employed to assist and supervise the growing number of regular volunteers. Financial support has been received from Whanganui District Council (WDC), Horizons Regional Council, WWF and DOC. In the initial years about 500 native plants were planted in the areas cleared of wattle, box thorn and other w**d plants. These plants are now over four metres tall and sheltering more recent plantings. WDC, Parnell Nursery and locals have contributed native plants so that up to 600 plants have been added to the rear dunes each winter. In addition, several groups of Pingao and Spinifex plants have been established on the fore dunes.
