Greater Dipton

2024 Southland Catchment Group Showcase: Greater Dipton

Farmer-led and community driven, the Greater Dipton Catchment Group recently spear-headed a project that focused on helping both rural and urban dwellers offset their carbon emissions.

Established in 2020, this Catchment Group is characterised by strong links to their local community. They started with a well-attended community meeting to hear what the local people wanted, followed by a series of fantastic field days and workshops – ultimately leading to the launch of Carbon Neutral Dipton.

Supported by funding from Thriving Southland, Carbon Neutral Dipton focused on exploring different ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on farms and in the wider community.  

They looked at five case study farms where ideas were modelled and evaluated with local buddy farmers. Findings were then shared publicly, and with other Catchment Groups and community groups in the region.  

Community and individual wellbeing is really important to the group, and they run a annual spring event where their community comes together, enjoys some good food and listens to an inspiring speaker. 

Along with regular events and workshops, the Greater Dipton Catchment Group runs projects that are wanted by the community, such as road-side clean-ups, waste & recycling workshop and B+LNZ Farm Environment Plan Workshops. Also they have been trained by Environment Southland on how to monitor stream health.

The Greater Dipton Catchment Group is a real community group with a core committee of 10 people with great links to local school and community groups.  Everyone is welcome.

In 2023, the group was a finalist in the Environment Southland Community Awards. This motivated group plans to keep building on their early successes and continue connecting and sharing with their community.