United Nations praises Muri restoration efforts

Restoration ecologist Brennan Panzarella, pictured far right, speaks about the Muri Environment Care group’s restoration efforts with representatives from the United Nations Development Programme and other stakeholders on Wednesday afternoon.

The meeting was held in the group’s nursery behind Pa Ariki Palace, where members have been growing plants with the intention of sowing them along streams – the first step in the Riparian Restoration Pilot Project. 

The project involves working with landowners to determine what kind of vegetation would best benefit them, and using those plants to improve the health of the streams. 

United Nations resident co-ordinator Simona Marinescu, pictured far left, said: “This is a great project. I’m quite impressed to see so much passion behind reviving those native species, and also educating everybody in the Cook Islands.”

• Joanne Holden
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