News • Southland Ecological Restoration Network

Thomsons Bush has many a helping hand.

September was a busy time at Thomsons Bush, with firstly the Westpac Trust staff getting along to do weeding, planting and clearing rubbish. This important ecological area is an adopted restoration project for Westpac and they are looking at doing some exciting things here, like improving the flow in the stream. As well as that helping hand, St Johns School has been involved in restoration work here for a number of years, recently having another planting day, along with inspecting their original plantings which are forming a canopy now. Another great success story!

Posted on: Thursday, 4 October 2012

Hokonui Tramping Club recognised for good work

Congratulations to the members of the Hokonui Tramping Club who won the Community Groups Award at last night’s Conservation Awards for their dedicated effort at restoring Grants Bush, East Hokonuis. They began work 45 years ago, maintaining the track for many years. However for more than a decade now, their efforts have extended to firstly weed control and more recently predator control. Thanks to their work the native bird numbers in the Grants Bush area have improved immensely, the birds also singing their praise for all to hear.

Posted on: Thursday, 26 July 2012

Landcare Networking Day a Great Success

On Saturday, 10th March, the Landcare groups and others came together at Thyme Out Cafe at Riverton Rocks to celebrate local and other Southland efforts of ecological restoration and protection. Over 40 people enjoyed hearing from video producer, Dave Asher, about the recent productions he had made, including one on the success of rat eradication on the Titi Islands. Over fifteen groups related activities they were doing towards improving the Southland environment. This was followed by a talk about the nearby Gobles Gully project (see under SERN projects), then a visit to the Goble’s QEII covenanted forest remnant on the hill top. The day finished with a trek around Te Wai Korari (also under SERN projects). Thanks to Nathan Cruickshank, Environment Southland, for organising the day.

Posted on: Saturday, 10 March 2012

Chilean flame creeper on retreat in Bowmans Bush

Years of work by a dedicated few have seen a significant reduction of Chilean flame creeper in the QEII National Trust property, Bowmans Bush, on Ruru Ave in Otatara. As well as casual walkers pulling the weed as they enjoy a stroll through the bush, an annual working bee, now organised by Randall Milne, Environment Southland, in conjunction with the Otatara Landcare Group, has made considerable inroads into this pest plant. With the understory freed from the smothering creeper, there is a denseness coming to the bush, restricting the light wells that this weed so likes. As many landowners around Otatara know, persistence does pay with this weed. Although there is no easy chemical control, continuous annual pulling does a lot to help control this insidious weed.

Posted on: Monday, 5 March 2012

Southland Community Nursery wins National Award

Recognised in the recent New Zealand Plant Conservation Network Awards, the Southland Community Nursery, run by Chris and Brian Rance, won the ‘Plant Nursery Involved in Plant Conservation’ award for its unique approach to the growth, preservation and education of the public about native plant species. The nursery propagates local seeds and runs workshops through community groups and schools to teach volunteers the skills required to grow their own plants for restoration projects. The native plants grown at the nursery are planted all over Southland, on Council, Crown and privately owned property. The nursery is an invaluable resource for the province, with many schools using the nursery to teach children how to grow and care for native plants. There is a constant presence of long-time volunteers who assist with nursery work every Friday morning.

Posted on: Thursday, 19 January 2012

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