Volunteers

Matakohe - Limestone Island in Whangarei Harbour, was once the site of Matakohe pa, with extensive kumara gardens. Later ‘Limestone Island’ was home to a cement works, one of the earliest industrial sites in Whangarei and founded in 1856. Then, after the cement works was abandoned, limestone was … [Read more...] about Near-barren island transformed to harbour sanctuary

It's 'all go' for yellow-eyed penguins - 2019 Bird of the Year - and those who help protect them. ‘Penguin Season’ is underway in Otago and Southland as staff and volunteers from the Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust search for this year’s nests in North Otago, Otago Peninsula and the Catlins. Trust … [Read more...] about Breeding season underway for yellow-eyed penguins – 2019 Bird of the Year

When software developer, Andy Saunders, returned from the UK a few years ago, he bought a property in Whiriwhiri, a stone’s throw from where he grew up in North West Waikato. Andy Saunders with some of the local Rat Rangers (and Louie the beagle.) The trees beyond have resident long tailed … [Read more...] about Predator Free Whiriwhiri forms to halt return of possums and rats

Otatara Landcare Group (OLG) in Southland has just celebrated its 20th year and two other impressive milestones: OLG’s total volunteer effort has reached 15,000 volunteer hours and 30,000 locally grown native plants have now been planted at its flagship restoration project at Bushy Point! So how … [Read more...] about Bushy Point volunteers hold Triple Celebration

Ian Turnbull’s father was a member of the Central Otago Lakes Branch of Forest and Bird back in 1998 when the group first began trapping in the beech forest of the Makarora Valley near Wanaka. Now Ian himself is retired and part of the dedicated trapping team. “There were a small number of mohua … [Read more...] about Saving mohua motivates Makarora Valley trappers

For the last 20 years or so, an area of gravel has been slowly forming at Robinson Bay on the Eastbourne foreshore, just across the harbour from Wellington City. Then about 9 years ago banded dotterels (pohowera/tūturiwhatu) arrived and began trying to breed on the beach, right in front of … [Read more...] about MIRO helps out overlooked banded dotterels

Project Island Song is a Bay of Islands wildlife sanctuary that celebrates the native subtropical habitat, lush with vegetation and alive with birdsong. Thousands of trees have been planted, and five rare and endangered species have been reintroduced with more reintroductions planned. The project is … [Read more...] about Biosecurity essential to success of Project Island Song