Eastern Bay of Plenty potters and conservationists Stuart and Margaret Slade have both been awarded a Queen's Service Medal.

But while the award goes to them, the couple emphasises that it recognises the efforts of many others.

'It really is a demonstration of the power of what local communities can achieve with focus and enthusiasm,” says Stuart.

For more than 15 years, the Slades have been heavily involved with the protection and restoration of the Nukuhou Saltmarsh, which sits at the southern end of Ohiwa Harbour, across the road from their Cheddar Valley Pottery studio.

In the early-2000s, the wetlands were infested with plants such as blackberry, wattle, pampas and convolvulus; with plentiful rats, stoats and other pest species.

The Nukuhou Saltmarsh Caregroup was established in 2003, and since then the Slades and other dedicated volunteers have done extensive trapping, weed control, native seedling regeneration and species monitoring.

The precious ecosystem has been resurrected. Pest numbers have plummeted, native species have increased.

There is a two km walking track along the wetland margin, and a lookout/picnic area.

Dotted along the route are life-sized pottery replicas of native species found in the wetlands.

Care group data is regularly used by other organisations. It is a valuable resource for research and future planning.

The Slades are now also working on Uretara Island in Ohiwa Harbour, again with other care group members.

The award bestowed on the Slades not only recognises their environmental contribution, but wider community contribution.

They moved to the Eastern Bay of Plenty in 1976, when Stuart became Principal at Woodlands School near Opotiki. Former students of Stuart's often comment on the positive influence he had, be it through the in-depth outdoor education programme he established, or just by being ‘the best teacher they ever had'. The Slades have also been members of The Nga Tapuwae-O-Taneatua Tramping Club for over 30 years, and over those years have helped in the maintenance of public huts and tracks.

Investiture may mean swapping muddy boots for something a little tidier, but in the meantime, they'll be out in the wetlands, continuing the valuable conservation work.

The Slades says they were speechless when they first received the nomination.

'It came as a shock. It never occurred to us that we might be worthy of a QSM.

'We just like getting out and doing something to leave this part of the world in a better state, and we really enjoy the company of the others in the care group who share the same goals.

'On reflection we felt we should accept the award because it's important that environmental efforts are recognised in major awards.

'We feel the award not only acknowledges us, but the others in our group. We are also humbled that members of the community who put so much time and effort into putting an application together for the Awards committee.

'Being active on a nearly daily basis also keeps us fit. When visiting a wetland at Tidbinbilla in Australia, we came across a quote from Nelson Mandela: 'Ultimately conservation is about people”. That seemed so appropriate'.”

To read more about the Nukuhou Saltmarsh group, go to https://www.boprc.govt.nz/media/226794/nukuhou_saltmarsh_guide_.pdf

To find out more about Cheddar Valley Pottery, go to FB page Cheddar Valley Pottery: https://www.facebook.com/Cheddar-Valley-Pottery-1991385507808663/