News • Southland Ecological Restoration Network

Hedgehope School at Sherwood Forest

For four years now Hedgehope School pupils have undertaken plantings at the Turnbull property, Sherwood Forest, at Tussock Creek. A nationally significant matai dominant forest on floodplain, this area was hard hit by the 1996 frosts, with 500 year old matai being killed out. Many groups have worked with the Turnbull’s to help restore this area. The Hedgehope School plot, alongside the old Hedgehope Stream, has been most successful. The school visited recently to maintain plantings they had done last spring, with all plants surviving and doing well. A fine effort, Hedgehope School!

Posted on: Tuesday, 11 December 2012

Living Legends boosts Bushy Point Restoration

At the beginning of September the Living Legends second annual planting took the Otatara Landcare Group’s goal of joining the two forest remnants at Bushy Point another major step closer. Over two days, with 90 shcool children attending on the Friday, then over 200 people attending on Saturday, they made light work of getting the 3,500 plants in the ground. This is an exciting restoration project, worth checking out by walking the track that is in place there.

Posted on: Thursday, 4 October 2012

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

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