WAI Wānaka is thanking its growing network of volunteers for removing more than 1.3 tonnes of rubbish during local beach-clean ups over the past year.

The figure is included in the organisation’s recently-released 2024–2025 Impact Report, which acknowledges the contribution of hundreds of volunteers involved in beach clean-ups, citizen science, research and neighbourhood-based environmental projects.

The clean-up events alone resulted in 1,370 kilograms of rubbish being collected, while separate citizen science programmes gave participants regular opportunities to contribute data through initiatives such as Litter Intelligence surveys, stream health assessments and environmental monitoring.

Volunteers removed more than 1.3 tonnes of rubbish during 2024-2025 beach clean-ups. PHOTO: Supplied

Community members also supported microplastics research, contributing 60 hours of volunteer lab time, assisting with research to show how activities on land and in water affect local rivers and lakes, WAI Wānaka said.

Urban action groups operating across five urban catchments contributed 446 volunteer hours, with neighbours working together to restore native biodiversity and improve water quality through planting, plant maintenance and pest control.

WAI Wānaka’s Adopt a Drain programme also grew significantly over the year. 

By inviting residents, schools and businesses to ‘adopt’ stormwater drains, the initiative aims to reduce stormwater pollution and raise awareness of the link between urban runoff and freshwater health.

The organisation’s Adopt a Drain programme has also grown, and expanded out of the Upper Clutha. PHOTO: Wānaka App

Participation increased from 58 adopters in the 2023–24 financial year to 105 in 2024–25, and the programme’s impact has now extended beyond the Upper Clutha, with Otago Regional Council adopting Adopt a Drain for rollout across the wider region.

Beyond hands-on work, the organisation connected with 1,918 people through events during the reporting period.

WAI Wānaka chief executive Cat Dillon said the organisation’s work would not be possible without volunteers, which extended beyond these contributions and also include “content creators to tech wizards to subject matter experts sitting on advisory boards”.

Read the full WAI Wānaka impact report here.