Biodiversity Southland Meetings Focus on Funding Opportunities

Biodiversity Southland was a group formed several decades ago to bring together parties involved in the protection and restoration of our native biodiversity in Southland. Although mainly supported by the agencies, this group is also open to those community groups involved in this work. Since the creation of the Biodiversity team at Environment Southland, this group has been more active with meetings four times a year. At the upcoming meeting next Wednesday 15th May there will a presentation on GEM Local. GEM Local (Grants Expertise Management system) is a grants database designed to help community groups find the right grants for them. There will also be an evening meeting for community groups, at 7.00pm in the ES Council Chambers on the same topic, which will also be livestreamed. If you would like to attend either meeting or need a link to zoom in, please contact Michael Hargraves, ES Biodiversity Officer at [Enable JavaScript to view protected content].

Posted on: Thursday, 9 May 2024

How does your group find funding?

Community conservation is critical to the predator free movement, and we need your help to get a better understanding of how groups are funded and the challenges with current funding.

We’re asking community-led conservation groups to fill in this short survey about their group and how they fund their activities. Only one response per group, please.

The survey will be open until the end of April. By completing this survey you’ll enter the draw to win a $500 Prezzy card for your group. The final report will be made public in July 2024.

Please feel free to forward this to other groups who may be interested.

Predator Free NZ Trust

www.predatorfreenz.org

PS Now would be a great time to check your group’s details on our map.

Posted on: Monday, 22 April 2024

2024 SERN Autumn Field Day

Another great day of networking was enjoyed by the 28 people attending, with eight different restoration projects represented. Check out the day and photos under Events.

Posted on: Friday, 12 April 2024

Aparima Pest Busters – Kakariki Nest Boxes

In the spring of 2022 red crowned kakariki were seen several times in Mores Reserve, Riverton. This caused great excitement for the team at Aparima Pest Busters as they had not been seen in the reserve for a long time.

While a lot of effort has been put into managing pests in the reserve, it was felt the birds would have better chances of breeding successfully if we could provide them with predator proof nest boxes. During the winter of 2023, funding was obtained to enable the construction of 20 nest boxes. These were based on a design used by a group in Nelson. Whereas they used a flat roof, we opted for a sloping roof which would make it harder for pests to access the entrance to the nest box.

The boxes were installed in late September. One is monitored with a trail camera. While we have not yet seen any birds in residence, we remain hopeful.

We are currently looking for people to look after a few bait lines in Mores Reserve. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please encourage them to get in touch at this email address.
For more information contact Aparima Pest Busters at: [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]

(Kakariki photo curtesy of Bush Haven)

Posted on: Monday, 12 February 2024

Interesting Finds at Oreti Totara Dune Forest

The latest OTDF report from Ranger, Maurice Rodway is attached here (DOCX, 4.40 MB). The group has been fortunate to have a student working on their project over summer, studying invertebrate and lizard presence in the area, along with helping with weed control and planting maintenance. You’ll see in the report that the first recording of a copper butterfly in the area was made, along with the presence of a ground weta in the pitfall traps. Cave wetas are the ones generally seen in Southland, so interesting to hear we also have a ground weta down here.

Posted on: Thursday, 8 February 2024