My Account
For several years now, conservation groups in the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area have met periodically for informal discussions on how to work together better, to share information on what they are doing and to hear from experts on methods and techniques for pest control. The groups include well-known names such as Forest & Bird as well as local care groups that may comprise a handful of people. They call themselves the Hibiscus and Bays Restoration Network (HBRN).
Earlier this year the Local Board decided to up the ante by engaging a facilitator, Kym Burke, to engage more groups in HBRN and to begin a process of preparing a pest-free plan for the area. Most HBRN groups took on this challenge in a new steering group and were soon coming up with a vision and objectives. It’s difficult to summarise these things in a few words but our overarching heading – Pest-Free 2045 – makes it clear where we want to be. The Plan has vision statements for valuing nature and understanding that everything is connected; empowering and engaging people in their own communities; and working collectively to make decisions and find creative solutions. The objectives are split between reducing predators to enhance diversity, improving and expanding habitats and advocating for water quality in rivers and streams and on our beaches.
Last month we took the draft plan to a wider group for feedback at a hui held at Te Herenga Waka o Orewa marae at Silverdale. A total of 45 people attended, and I was the MC. The location was appropriate because it is just metres from the Weiti River, one of the environments the groups involved want to support, and because engaging with iwi is a vital part of the plan.
Guest speakers at the hui were ecology scientist Bruce Thomas and Auckland Museum curator of botany Ewen Cameron. Ewen warned us that garden escapees can naturalise in the wild over many years. Bruce told us tales of his pest clearance at Breaksea Island in Fiordland and showed us his better rat trap, the solid, aluminium Kamate. With the feedback received from participants and inspiration from the speakers the plan is being further refined.
In the not too far distant future, it will turn into action. The local board has funding for a part-time coordinator to really get things moving at an area-wide level.
Success though will not come via the limited resources and authority of the board. It will rely on the initiative establishing a life of its own so that it can be led by the community and implemented by every household playing its part.
If you are in a group that would like to participate contact Sally Cargill, who convenes HBRN – email ecbcp@xtra.co.nz.
