Patriach Project
In 2019, Mike Aviss from Marlborough District Council (MDC) introduced FuturEcology to Lucy Marshall from Patriach Vineyard Limited Partnership.
The 73 hectare vineyard, owned by My Farm Investments, has three areas identified as significant wetlands by MDC and My Farms were very keen to work at restoring these wetlands to their former glory.
The vineyard is situated close to Wairau Village in Marlborough and is sited on river terraces above the Wairau River.
In 2019, FuturEcology was engaged by MDC to prepare a plan for the restoration of the wetlands at Patriach. FuturEcology then began implementing the plan in conjunction with My Farms in 2020.
The work involved site preparation initially to deal mainly with willows, broom and gorse followed by clearing the wetland pond and stream edges in preparation for planting.
In 2020, approximately 5000 plants were planted in the first wetland area, shown in the drone photos and then a further 4000 were planted in 2021 in the second wetland area.
On the 16th July 2021, not too long after the planting were completed, the Marlborough area was inundated with rain and over a metre of water went through the plantings in the wetland.
We were rather worried at what we would find when venturing back onto the site but were pleasantly surprised at how well everything had coped.
The plants have thrived this year and maintenance, which is a key part of successful restorations continues on the site.
My Farms needs to be congratulated for the vision and commitment they have shown in restoring and protecting this valuable habitat.
