News • Southland Ecological Restoration Network

Heddon Bush helped by Environment Southland Grant

The Heddon Bush School received a grant through Environment Southland’s Environmental Enhancement Fund to assist with the purchase of plants for their ongoing restoration project on ‘The Donut’. This small kahikatea remnant was originally fenced off by the landowner back in the 1980’s when approached by Forest & Bird to undertake protection of the area. Southland F&B provided fencing material and helped the farmer to put up the fence at that time. Then in the late 2000’s the Horner’s decided to protect the area in perpetuity with a QEII Open Space Covenant. It was at this time that the school became involved in the restoration project. Over the years they have undertaken annual plantings, with the blessing of the current landowners, the de Wolds. Heddon Bush School BOT Chairman, Ken Dykes, has been involved with the project from the start and has enjoyed watching the area improve year by year. Recently the area was visited on the annual SERN bus trip and we were told about the history of the area by the school pupils. We were very impressed by their knowledge and enthusiasm for this restoration project. Keep up the good work, Heddon Bush School!

On the recent SERN field day Heddon Bush School pupils told about the history of the special native forest area 'The Donut', which the school has adopted and is restoring with underplanting and pest control. November 2015

Posted on: Tuesday, 17 November 2015

New Bush Walk at Omaui in the Making

‘The new walking track up Omaui Hill is being formed. After several years of planning and fundraising the Omaui Tracks Trust has obtained the services of Joan and Phil Fluerty who have been working on tracks for the Department of Conservation for 15 years. Their digger makes a path 90cm wide and they try to replant any ferns dug out from the path of the track so damage is kept to a minimum. The track will be gravelled with volunteer help and it should be available by Christmas. Total length about two kilometres or about an hour’s reasonable hiking. The gradient is gentle. The track goes to the top of the hill then down on the southern side where there is a view of Foveaux Strait and Bluff Harbour, the Three Sisters, Barracouta Point and the wind farm at Flat Hill. The track will be an asset to Omaui. Come along and try it over the summer.’ Report from Lloyd Esler, Omaui Tracks Trust member.

Posted on: Monday, 19 October 2015

NZPCN Awards entries close soon

The prestigious New Zealand Plant Conservation Network Awards are now in their eleventh year. Nominations for the 2015 awards close next week on Monday 29th September. The purpose of these awards is to acknowledge outstanding contributions to native plant conservation. Award categories are Individual, School, Council, Community, Plant Nursery and Young Plant Conservationist of the Year (under 18 years at 30 June 2015). The nomination form is available from the Network website at http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/page.aspx?nzpcn_awards_Annual_awards

Posted on: Wednesday, 23 September 2015

Waihopai Playcentre Kids Explore Nature

The Southland Community Nursery is a busy place these days with lots of visitors enjoying the tracks through the bush and wetlands, the plant nursery facilities and the education centre. Recently the Waihopai Playcentre visited, with children and parents enjoying the sensory scavenger hunt looking for an assortment of coloured, textured, scented things along the track, exploring the “hide” and looking for insects, frogs and lizards. Back at the education centre they potted up seedlings and had morning tea. A fun experience learning about nature.

Posted on: Monday, 30 March 2015

Pingao Restoration at Waipapa Point

Forest and Bird Southland have been attempting to restore a population of the native sand binding grass, Pingao, beneath the Waipapa Point Lighthouse. The native pingao is an attractive golden colour, however naturally grows in moving sands, so the marram that dominates the site is not an ideal companion plant. Marram was introduced by early settlers to stop sand movement, and is still used for this purpose in places. Rabbits also have a preference for pingao, so protectors are required to stop nibbling. The local sealions also cause havoc with the plants at times as they lollop amongst the sandhills. However watch this space as further restoration work is undertaken.

Posted on: Sunday, 15 March 2015

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