Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust (MTSCT) has continued to empower communities and take action towards both marine and freshwater conservation.  The trust is committed to citizen science as a way of empowering local people to contribute to national science databases in a meaningful way.

The annual MTSCT report for 2019 has been released, outlining the numerous achievements by Whitebait Connection (WBC), Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR) and other sister programmes.

Hikurangi's black mudfish might be small and slimy, but the endangered native species has gained a group of passionate supporters composed of an all-girls digital classroom at Hikurangi School.

Teacher Helen Moore said the class of Year 7 and 8s discovered the plight of the black mudfish or waikaka "in [their] own backyard" while learning about native freshwater fish earlier this year.

Registrations are now open for our annual Mountains to Sea Wananga 2021 - register today!

We had a wonderful day at our annual Matakohe-Limestone Island trip with 40 participants! The initial departure time was delayed due to the fog, but once it cleared it was an absolutely stunning day! The day started off with a beach-clean-up, followed by a walk around the island and making some amazing rubbish art in the afternoon

The Abel Tasman National Park has more sparkle for summer thanks to volunteers who removed 195 kilograms of rubbish from the coastline.

The Sunday clean-up organised by environmental group Tasman Bay Guardians for Conservation Week, also saw longstanding graffiti etched into the brittle granite rock at Mosquito (Namu Namu) Bay removed.

The beauty of one of Whangārei’s inner-city waterways has been revealed through the efforts of Council staff, local contractors, Morningside School and the Whitebait connection. 

The Waihara Wetland at the end of Rawhiti Street has been a smelly, boggy, tidal ponding area that had little going for it.  Through everyone’s combined efforts it has now been turned into a beautiful stormwater treatment wetland.  

Living so close to waterways, our community is directly affected by the ocean which surrounds us, which is why programmes such as Whitebait Connection are so important.

The Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust (MTSCT) was founded in 2002 and included two core programmes - the Experiencing Marine Reserves and Whitebait Connection programmes. 

Two water barrels have been installed at Whangaparāoa Playcentre as a part of a sustainable water education programme run by the Whitebait Connection.

The 220 litre barrels will collect water from the centre’s roof which will be used to water their gardens.

A group of 40 Year 8 students from Wentworth College got out in the field with scientists last month, assisting with studies into water quality and habitat in Stanmore Bay Stream.

The work took place under the guidance of Sarah Dimitrijevic of Whitebait Connection.

Restoring and enhancing clean waterways from the mountains to the sea is an ambitious goal and requires the help of many.

Local business MTF Whangarei have made it a bit easier by sponsoring local environmental group, the Whitebait Connection (WBC), a 12-seater van and trailer.

Roger was an absolute champion for our marine environment. He dedicated his life to marine conservation and tirelessly shared his wealth of knowledge with others. Roger was a trustee of the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust from 2002 – 2018 and an honoured patron from 2018. Our team loved spending time with Roger and I don’t think we are ever going to forget the correct way to eat an artichoke! We miss you terribly but we will ensure your legacy makes waves for a long time to come.

A memorial fund has been established and is administered by the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust.  The page to donate directly can be found here. 

This year, more than 215 Hauraki/Coromandel students, along with parents and teachers, completed the Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR) programme. The schools involved were Harataunga, Coroglen, Moanataiari, Te Rerenga and Whangamata Area School

The focus of the EMR programme is to provide quality education opportunities about, increase awareness of, and encourage action and support for marine conservation in New Zealand.