News • Southland Ecological Restoration Network

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

National Wetlands Symposium to be held in Southlan

Every second year the National Wetland Trust initiates the Wetland Restoration Symposium, alternating between the North and South Islands. Held in Christchurch four years ago, Southland is fortunate to be chosen as the second South Island venue, with the Symposium being planned from Wednesday 21st – Friday 23rd March. The Southland Wetland Working Party is organising the event, with field days planned to Awarua/Waituna Wetlands and Rakatu, western Southland. This is a great opportunity to hear about what is happening locally, as well as nationally, with wetlands restoration. For further details check out the National Wetland Trust website, www.wetlandtrust.org.nz. Be in quick for the earlybird special registration price until the end of January.

Posted on: Thursday, 19 January 2012

Endangered Haast Kiwi Released on Pomona Island

In late October, seven Haast Tokoeka were released on Pomona. This sub-species is listed as critically endangered and numbers around 370 birds in total. These birds are the first group of a planned population of 16 kiwi for the island. They form part of a distributed population based in three centres - Pomona Island, Coal Island in Preservation Inlet and Orokonui Ecosanctuary in Dunedin. The kiwi were transported to Pomona Island on the Meridian Energy vessel, Mararoa. DOC staff and Trustees fitted transmitters to all of the birds before they were released by students from Fiordland College and volunteers from the local community.

Posted on: Sunday, 13 November 2011

Environment Southland help look after Biodiversity

Environment Southland have set up a Southland Environmental Enhancement Fund which individual landowners or community groups can apply to for assistance in their work to protect biodiversity. Primarily aimed at biodiversity on private land, there is a fund of $30,000 available in this first year. An invitation has been sent out to landowners who have had an HVA (High Value Area) survey done to help progress reccommendations made in those reports towards the enhancement of these areas. However the fund is open to anyone interested in protecting biodiversity in the region. For further information contact Tim Riding, Biosecurity Officer, ES, at [Enable JavaScript to view protected content] or check it out on the Environment Southland website, www.es.govt.nz.

Posted on: Sunday, 16 October 2011

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