Our location
Multiple forest fragments along the Waitoa River.
Kaupapa | Our Purpose
This project is focused on protecting and restoring multiple kahikatea forest fragments along the Waitoa River to provide a biodiversity corridor that connects the significant forest restoration projects of Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari and restoration projects on the Kaimai Mamaku ranges.
How We Did It
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Weed control and management
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Planting native species, buffer planting to protect forest edges, and enrichment planting in the understory
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Securing funding for planting and maintenance
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Landowner engagement and education
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Volunteer co-ordination and community engagement.
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Extension of forest fragments to improve connectivity (as was done with Hawes Bush and Metcalfe covenants)
Outcomes
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Reduction of weeds allows natural regeneration of native species
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Planting native species increases species diversity and habitat quality
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Buffer planting decreases adverse "edge" effects on forest fragment health
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Connecting and linking fragments increases their size and their resilience
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Improving the ecological function of multiple fragments provides for landscape scale biodiversity and habitat benefits
What's Next
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The development of a pest control plan for forest fragments between Waharoa and Wairere Road.
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Implementation of the pest control plan with funding support from Waikato Regional Council to improve ecological health, integrity, and long-term sustainability of the forest fragments, assist forest health recovery of remnants through regeneration and recruitment, flowering, and fruiting of native species, and to protect habitats of threatened fauna (such as bats and birds) and enhance their breeding success.
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Undertake placement of traps, bait stations and monitoring devices at each of the fragment locations.
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Undertake monitoring to get an indication of pest numbers before and during pest control.
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Collaborate and engage with landowners to get buy-in, permission and to educate them about positive benefits of pest control.
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Co-ordinate volunteer labour to layout and monitor traps.