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
Volunteers
Biodiversity strategy discussion document
The NZ Biodiversity Strategy is an important document that sets out the framework for how we protect our biodiversity and ensure it thrives over the next 50 years. The Department of Conservation has recently released a discussion document which will help inform the final strategy. This … [Read more...] about Biodiversity strategy discussion document
Wildlife artist, Hannah Shand, captures the personality of native birds
When Hannah Shand studied fashion at University, she would choose to do art-based projects and always enjoyed doing things by hand rather than on computer. As a graduate, she moved to Auckland for a job in a fashion workroom, and found the workroom job wasn’t as creative as studying at … [Read more...] about Wildlife artist, Hannah Shand, captures the personality of native birds
Biosecurity essential to success of Project Island Song
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
Bait station modification baffles bait-stealing possums
For community groups carrying out predator control it can be a real struggle to get rat numbers down to a level that allows small native birds to successfully breed in spring. One frustrating issue can be possums cleaning out the bait in your bait stations before the rats get to it, meaning large … [Read more...] about Bait station modification baffles bait-stealing possums
Ten more Kiwibank Predator Free Communities announced…
We are pleased to announce the addition of 10 communities to our Kiwibank Predator Free Community programme — taking the total number of communities to 55. The latest round of funding was highly competitive, with an overwhelming number of applications. The majority of applications were from well … [Read more...] about Ten more Kiwibank Predator Free Communities announced…
Stealthy stoat eludes Hastings Golf Club trappers
There’s a stoat stalking the greens at Hastings Golf Club and members are determined to catch it. In fact, the stealthy stoat has inspired the start of a comprehensive trapping programme for other introduced predators, including any rats, possums or hedgehogs hanging out on the wilder fringes off … [Read more...] about Stealthy stoat eludes Hastings Golf Club trappers
Otuwhero Wetland Trust cites ‘sporting benefits’ of volunteer work
“Community conservation work should be designated a sport,” Helen Lindsay believes, “Then it might get more funding.” Helen is Chair of the Otuwhero Wetland Trust and cites the (sporting) benefits of being part of a conservation volunteer team. Otuwhero Wetland Trust volunteers take a break … [Read more...] about Otuwhero Wetland Trust cites ‘sporting benefits’ of volunteer work
Community-led conservation dates back to 1960s at Bushy Park-Tarapuruhi
Bushy Park-Tarapuruhi Forest Sanctuary and Historic Homestead lies 25km north of Whanganui and has a long history of community-led conservation, going back to the early 1960s. A large northern rata (Metrosideros robusta) named Ratanui ('Big Rata') is estimated to be between 500 and 1000 years … [Read more...] about Community-led conservation dates back to 1960s at Bushy Park-Tarapuruhi
Wildlife Hospital patients show scars of narrow escapes
Injured and sick wildlife have been pouring into Dunedin’s new wildlife hospital since it opened just over a year ago. Some are sick and starving, others have had a close encounter with a shark, while a significant number of native wildlife were wounded during a narrow escape from people’s pets. … [Read more...] about Wildlife Hospital patients show scars of narrow escapes