News

Biocontrol agents for Darwin's Barberry and Chilean Flame Creeper - feedback sought regarding the release of these

Walter Fieldes, Biosecurity Officer - Plants at ES, is seeking pre-application feedback prior to applying to EPA for release the bioconctorl agents for these two pest plant species in our region.

Please read this attached letter (PDF, 611.19 kB) and other information CFC flyer (PDF, 1.42 MB), DBRust (PDF, 1.73 MB).

There is further information from a dedicated website and ES has set up a page on the ES Website for stakeholders to submit views and feedback.

Manaaki Whenua have two 30minute webinars from their Biosecutity Bonanza covering both agents. Access here.

ES are holding two online Q&A sessions (11am-noon and 7-8pm on 22 Oct ) Please send an email to [Enable JavaScript to view protected content] to register for the Q&A session. Walter is happy to speak to anyone personally if you would like further information or can’t make either of the Q&A sessions: [Enable JavaScript to view protected content] 021 500 664

Posted on: Thursday, 26 September 2024

Bushy Point Planting 15 September 2024

The Otatara Landcare Group volunteers have been planting in the month of September since 2011 when the Living Legends project began (and before that since the year 2000). But never has the weather been worse than this time – 7 degrees and rain! But cancelling an event like this is like turning around a tanker – it has a momentum, there has been so much preparation (preparing the site, putting all the plants and equipment out, advertising etc), that to postpone and reorganise is a thankless task. So……. We went ahead, albeit thinking it wasn’t BBQ weather, so that was abandoned (20kg of sausages and onions now in various peoples freezers!). We still didn’t know if people would turn up – but this is Southland, and don’t we love it!! The two Chris’ and Cathy stood in the rain welcoming people and as they turned up Barry set people straight into planting. The track was much too muddy to get most cars except 4WD’s onto site so a few minutes walking to where lots of high viz vests were on the sand dunes and it went from there. More people arrived until we had 69 people on site. Unfortunately, the many children who attended last year, wern’t there (much too cold), but those who braved it actually seemed to be having fun! In around two hours all one thousand plants were in the ground tucked up in their combi-guards safe from rabbits and we wandered home satisfied with the days work.

Another important tree was planted on-site. A special totara tree for our Legend All Black Kevin Laidlaw. Kevin died in July this year but until that time from the 2011 Living Legends planting Kevin and his wife Maymie supported our plantings every year until their health declined over recent years. A special totara was planted by their son and son-in-law.

Many thanks go to Barry Smith for the lions share of the organising and work, his helpers at the Community Nursery who loaded and placed all the plants the previous Friday, OLG committee members for help with prep and on the day, Central Baptist Church for all their volunteers and everyone-else who came from Otatara, Invercargill, Bluff and SIT. It was actually a great day and if you missed it because you thought it wouldn’t be on there will be another opportunity where you can help release previous years plants, hopefully with BBQ this time.

Chris,

for Otatara Landcare Group

Posted on: Tuesday, 17 September 2024

Ivy under attack at Thomsons Bush.

The Friends of Thomsons Bush group have a regular Wednesday morning working bee taking on the job of removing ivy. They meet at the playground at 10am and head off with their sacks and fadges for a couple of hours of work. Over the last couple of months they have made good headway, however there’s still plenty to do. Thanks go to ICC Parks Division for the disposal of the fadges of ivy to ensure they are no threat to anywhere else. The group are looking forward to attacking other weeds once they have their Agreement with ICC in place. If you would like to join them, check out their Facebook page for further details at Friends of Thomsons Bush.

Posted on: Sunday, 8 September 2024

Bushy Point BIG Planting Day! Sunday 15 September 2024

One thousand plants are ready and waiting.

Help our community to grow a native forest!

Arrive 9.50 a.m. for a 10 a.m. start

FREE BBQ from 12 noon

What we need you to bring:

• Gardening gloves
• Spade
• Appropriate footwear and clothing for the conditions
• Drink Bottle

Posted on: Tuesday, 3 September 2024

10 year Anniversary for Hollyford Conservation Trust

The Hollyford Conservation Trust is celebrating ten years of achievement in the more remote of community project areas. The tenth year has seen the traps increased to 1459 ‘stoat tunnels’ (doubleset DOC200s) with a 127km of new tracks bringing the total to 367km for the dedicated volunteers to check between 8 & 10 times a year. This year they have expanded into the Kaipo Valley with a focus on maintaining the whio population here. Take a look at the website, https://www.hollyfordconservationtrust.org.nz/, or request a copy of their impressive Annual Report for more details.

Posted on: Friday, 16 August 2024