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News >>> Newsletter >>> April 2009
Newsletter - April 2009
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The Bay of Plenty
Conservation Kõrero
April 2009
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Greetings!
Please trust me on this (no trees should be killed in the making of this e-newsletter); if you cut through the trunk of a tree you can learn a lot a lot about its life. The growth rings show how old it is and the kind of years it's experienced. In lean yearsit grows little, but it keeps growing and when the conditions ease it flowers, sets seed and claims new territory.
For those of us humans engaged in conservation, the current economic climate is a lean one. It will be harder to keep up our momentum and some things may have to be put on the backburner.But we canfocus on what's achievable,share our successes, and consolidate our efforts.
By doing the little things that require little energy (such as sharing this newsletter), just like our tree friends we can keep building our strength, supporting each other and maintaining our commitment ready for the next, inevitable, growth flushwhen it arrives.
Protect, Enjoy, Be Involved
Steve Brightwell
Editor |
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Sustainable stormwater at Hamurana
Stage three of improvements to return the Hamurana Springs to their former glory are about to commence. The springs are an amazing place and are the deepest natural fresh water spring on the North Island.
Stages one and two are now complete at Hamurana including bridges and platforms around the main spring head. Stage three includes work on a 'Bioswale' for dealing with storm water run off from the carpark. This is one of the first developments of its kind in NZ for dealing with storm water in a sustainable manner. Also, included in stage three is re-vegetation and planting around the area of the springs to re-beautify and control erosion.
The Rotorua Lakes DOC has a workday on Thursday. If interested in getting involved in helping to protect this special place contact Angela Hogan (07) 349-8228 or 
. Additionally, Hamurana Springs Incorporated Society (HSIS) is a proactive community group which also takes care of the area and would love to have a helping hand from anyone who's offering one. |
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Ngongotaha wallaby days numbered
The next phase of a w allaby control programme is commencing on Mt Ngongotaha. This phase is a large scale field trial of bait stations in the area that are being baited with Feratox encapsulated cyanide .
Recent surveys have shown that the wallabies have slowly spread throughout the Bay of Plenty and into the Waikato region and that numbers are on the increase. They feed on native vegetation, low level forestry plantings and pasture and can cause considerable damage. The Dama Wallaby is a major threat to indigenous forests by being bottom feeders (with deer and possums damaging the middle & upper levels of vegetation).
The project is a joint operation between Environment Bay of Plenty, the Department of Conservation and Environment Waikato to stop Dama Wallaby from spreading further . |
Fish and chips - hold the silt, please!
Funny guy Ricky Gervais (he who wrote The Office) says there's more species of fish in the sea than plants, animals and birds combined.
Gervais makes the comment as part of his stand-up routine called Animals, but the observation raises a pretty serious point. There's a lot of fish and we eat a lot of them (about 20kg per person per year in NZ).
That makes them a bit special and suggests it's a good idea to look after their habitat.
And the trick to that is to think about water - it runs downhill and takes anything in its way with it. So anything that can get into water winds up in a lake or estuary smothering or poisoning the things that live there.
So next time you're moving soil, disposing of toxins, or even creating a surface that water will run off from, take the time to call your district council, Environment BOP or one of the other agencies such as Fish and Game NZ or the Department of Conservation who's job it is to help. That way, the cost of your actions may not be reflected in the price of (increasingly rare) fish.
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Work experience helps future greenies
People often ask how you get a job at DOC. The staff at the Tauranga office come from a wide range of backgrounds including forestry, plumbing and teaching but recently young people have been getting the work experience first hand to help their future career choices.
Ryo Miyanami spent a week helping with kiwi tracking, track maintenance, weed control and a spot of botanising. Each year a local environmental management student is awarded a scholarship prize including summer work experience. As this year's winner, Ryo also got to check out the first sighting of dwarf mistletoe, a rare plant, in the Tauranga area.
Two new Maori Conservation Cadets have also joined the Tauranga office as part of a national pilot programme offering two year training positions with the Department. Whakarae Henare and Awhimate Eru have been busy already helping with protected species, community events, and working on local tracks.
Students from Te Aroha College have also been hard at work during term one in the historic Waiorongomai Valley. These enthusiastic volunteers are helping clear the May Queen Incline for the enjoyment of their community and gaining practical skills.
Get involved yourself and volunteer for conservation in the Bay of Plenty today. |
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Wheelie great experience had by all
You probably wonder how we know how to build such great tracks. Well... time, effort, wisdom and a brave group of volunteers to give it a go! And that is just what happened recently in the corner of Whirinaki Forest Park.
The realignment of a track which is locally known as the 'H-tree track' (you'll never guess why it is called that) was built with wheelchair users in mind. It is part of our commitment to make our facilities as inclusive as possible.
Whakatane's Beverley Grammer and her organisation Up2Date helped rustle up our intrepid troops to give the new track a 'spin' as it were.
We had most modes of disabled transport covered from self-propelled wheelchairs, to 'pushers', to the most modern electric all-terrain chair and even a rather racey mobility scooter. In fact one participant insisted on giving up her scooter for a section - so our rather humble ranger Mike Jones could give it go.
Feedback from the day was very positive from wheelchair users and staff alike and the next few months will see final improvements made to the track and iterpretation of the area installed in time for the official opening on 6 September 2009 which is part of the Whirinaki25 festivities.
Oh yeah, by the way - the 'H-tree' is two rimu trees which have joined in the middle, not disimilar looking to the letter H! And for those who like technical words, it's called inosculation! |
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New Kaimai Mamaku park map is here!
The long awaited new Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park map is now available from the Department of Conservation (DOC) Tauranga Area office. "The last edition was a revision of earlier maps, and had become a patchwork of stickers showing corrections and changes, so we're excited to have the new map available for the public," project manager Katrina Knill said.
The new map includes all seven huts in the park ranging from the 26 bunk Waitawheta Hut popular with families and school groups to the basic Huruni hut suitable for those with good backcountry navigation skills. The new Waipapa Track, just completed this year, linking Mount Te Aroha to the east with the Waitawheta Valley is also shown.
This edition is uses a 1:50,000 scale for easy comparison with standard LINZ topographic maps. The new map replaces the 2000 edition and even includes DOC reserves at Otanewainuku, Otawa (near Te Puke) and Orokawa (near Waihi Beach) "DOC staff and volunteers walked over 360km to GPS all the DOC tracks in the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park to provide the best information possible for visitors to the park." Katrina said.
"This map is the result of extensive consultation, and technology to provide the most accurate and user friendly map possible." |
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Whakatane youth learn about kiwi
As you will well know, this year's Conservation Week theme was 'Meet the locals' and that is just what a bunch of keen young Whakatane-ites did last week. They spent the afternoon in Ohope Scenic Reserve on the lookout for kiwi sign.
By the end of the afternoon theynot only knew what they look and sound like, but had found probe holes, kiwi foot prints, kiwi eggs and everyones favourite - kiwi poo! So much fun was had by all, it has been decided to repeat the guided walk/treasure hunt during the upcoming BirdsaPlenty Festival
We look forward to seeing you soon. | |
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More useful stuff...
www.destinationoutdoors.co.nz Bay of Plenty public recreation facilities
Tell us what you think about Conservation Kõrero
Take our quick survey or arrange for a hard copy for a friend. |
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Contact us at:
Tauranga Area Office
253 Chadwick Rd
Tauranga
07 578 7677 |
Rangitaiki Area Office
State Highway 38
Murupara
07 366 1080 |
Rotorua Lakes Area Office
99 Sala St
Rotorua
07 349 7400 |
Bay of Plenty Conservancy Office, 99 Sala St, Rotorua. Phone 07 349 7400
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