Julie Ross from North Otago is a SMART Irrigator.
Why?
- With husband Matt, filters farm run-off through a restored wetland which has cut in half nitrogen and phosphorus levels in their section of the Kokoamu Stream
- Planted natives to create habitat for flora and fauna to thrive. This has encouraged the return of Koura (freshwater crayfish) and a wide range of native birdlife, frogs and lizards
- Provide duck hunting opportunities for locals and employment for students and members of the community keen to work on their wetland project
- Investigating floating mats to further improve water quality through better nutrient uptake by aquatic plants
