• /
    • Archives /
  • 30/11/1999

Archives For 30/11/1999

Kiwifruit crew help planting project

Department of Conservation —  07/07/2014

An enthusiastic bunch of Tongan kiwifruit workers learned some new skills and lent a helping hand to a planting project on Motu Trails’ Dunes Trail cycleway recently.

DOC Ranger, Steve Brightwell tells us more…

Tree planting.

Many hands make light work

The Project Crimson tree planting followed a karakia, official speeches, and the unveiling of two six metre pou on a magnificent new section of the Motu Trails’ Dunes Trail cycleway.

The 60 or so people present sheltered from passing showers in a Bay of Plenty Regional Council marquee.

Once the planting was underway it was realised that the size of the task was huge and it became evident reinforcements would be needed to plant the 5,000 trees on hand.

Enter Dave Emslie, Chairman of the Motu Trails Charitable Trust, who also has a finger on the pulse at Opotiki Packing and Coolstores, which processes much of the district’s kiwifruit.

Thinking on his feet, when Dave took a call saying crews had been rained off for the day, he quickly had them into a van and out to Tirohanga, where they were welcomed like the cavalry.

Kiwifruit crew ready for action.

Kiwifruit crew ready for action

After a quick planting lesson with Project Crimson’s Gordon Hosking and Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Land Management Officer, Tim Senior, the kiwifruit crew added some very welcome grunt to the planting project.

OPAC staff get planting instruction from Bay of Plenty Regional Council Land Management Officer Tim Senior.

OPAC staff get planting instruction from Bay of Plenty Regional Council Land Management Officer Tim Senior

DOC Ranger, Pete Livingstone, said the workers arrived at a good time, as many of those who had been there for the 7 am karakia were starting to wilt and there was still plenty to be done.
Project Crimson's Gordon Hosking (bending down) explains the finer points of planting.

Project Crimson’s Gordon Hosking (bending down) explains the finer points of planting

He said although most had only limited English, they enjoyed the opportunity, appreciated the barbecue, and left for their lodgings around mid-afternoon, having given the job a pretty good nudge towards completion.

It was great to see people from all walks of life coming together to help.

The 11 km Dunes Trail runs parallel with the coastline of the Bay of Plenty, starting at the Pakowhai Bridge (Memorial Park Reserve) in the East Coast township of Opotiki.

This is an easy (grade 2) trail that caters for cyclists of all abilities and fitness levels, providing an ideal family day out. The trail has an easy gradient that is enjoyed by walkers, runners and cyclists. The return journey of 22 km can be comfortably ridden in one day from either end – with plenty of time to stop for a swim and a picnic along the way.

In East Coast, Native plants, Volunteers , , ,
permalink

Biodiversity day creates a storm

Department of Conservation —  28/06/2014

Partnerships Ranger John Barkla writes about the recent community day in Dunedin to celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity.

In a scene reminiscent of the Pied Piper of Hamelin I watched as Ranger Jim Fyfe, grim determination etched on his face, led the unsuspecting children up the hill away from their parents. Actually it was all above board and the kids were willing and enthusiastic tree planters on Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua in the Otago Harbour.

Ranger Jim Fyfe leading the children up the hill on Biodiversity Day.

Ranger Jim Fyfe leads the children up the hill

The day started with a gathering on the Otago Peninsula. Four speakers gave unique perspectives on what islands meant to them, with historical, ecological, spiritual and management themes all explored.

While the adults were being enthralled with this, the children were off having a fun learning time under the watchful eye of local Kiwi Conservation Club organiser Tiff Stewart.

For the DOC rangers present it was a chance to reconnect with old friends, make new acquaintances and share island experiences and stories.

Ranger Jim Fyfe planting trees with the children.

Ranger Jim explains the finer points of tree planting

Following a sumptuous lunch we all took the short boat journey to Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua where resident caretaker Gordon Douglas gave a brief welcome before everyone grabbed a plant or two and carried them up to the planting site amongst tall rank grass.

Once the planting was dispensed with it was time to explore the forest. What started as a pleasant wander, under warm north-westerly conditions, turned into an unforgettable show of the force of nature. With little warning, a south-westerly front hit the island bringing 70 km/hr plus winds that whipped the sea into a fury and drove rain and stinging hail onto those caught by the onslaught.

The storm front approaching the island.

The south-westerly front about to hit

The group was quickly and safely shepherded back along the spine of the island to the ’The Lodge’ where hot drinks and food restored composure. Conditions soon eased enough for everyone to be ferried back to the wharf on the mainland.

This was a day to be remembered; great company and fascinating perspectives with some wild island weather thrown in for good measure!

In Islands, Native plants , ,
permalink

Inspired by Nature: New Zealand Music Month

Elizabeth Marenzi —  29/05/2014

As New Zealanders our natural environment is closely tied to our identity—it’s part of what makes us who we are. It’s no wonder then, that our natural environment serves as a muse for so many of our musicians and artists.

Today, as New Zealand Music Month draws to a close, we delight in this connection with a visual feast of album covers inspired by our natural environment.

The view is worth the climb – Tim Finn
Horizon – Henry Wong Doe
All Mountains are Men – Rosy Tin Teacaddy. The whole album was written and recorded in an isolated DOC cottage beside Lake Tarawera while the ’Caddies were on a Wild Creations artists’ residency.
Stories From Elsewhere – Rhian Sheehan
Atheum’s Way – Solstate
Fly My Pretties Live At Bats – Fly My Pretties
Fight from the Inside – Into the East. Artwork by Hanna Isaac.
Nature’s Best – Various Artists
Garden of Light – The Mantarays
Wai 100% – Various Artists
Some Were Meant For Sea – Tiny Ruins
The Return of Fly My Pretties – Fly My Pretties
Forest: Songs by Hirini Melborne – Dudley Benson. Applique artwork by Florence Dennison.
Home, Land and Sea – Trinity Roots
My Army of Birds and Gulls – Betchadupa
Deadly Summer Sway – The Checks
The Storm – New Zealand Guitar Quartet. Photography: Kapiti by Peter Leask.
Feel the Seasons Change: Live with the NZSO – Salmonella Dub. “A musical journey through Aotearoa landscapes.”
Haunts – Tiny Ruins
True – Trinity Roots
Tūī, Tui, Tuia EP – Dudley Benson
Fatcat and Fishface – Birdbrain
Twist – Dave Dobbyn
Higher Trails – John Hanlon

So many great album covers, so little bandwidth to transport them all to you…

Do you have a favourite New Zealand ‘inspired by nature’ album cover?

In National parks, Native animals, Native plants , , ,
permalink

Nina Valley ‘Ecoblitz’

Department of Conservation —  15/05/2014

By Sarah Ensor, Partnerships Ranger in Rangiora

Last month 176 senior students from 23 secondary schools worked alongside 57 scientists/taxonomists, 24 university students, 26 teachers and 16 helpers to discover and document species in the Nina Valley, Lewis Pass.

The Nina Valley Ecoblitz team. Photo: Sonny Whitelaw.

Most of the team on the last day

The idea for an ‘Ecoblitz’ in the Nina Valley started almost 18 months ago with Tim Kelly, a teacher at Hurunui College. Tim approached some like-minded people and a group was formed. This group comprised representatives from Hurunui College, Lincoln University, DOC, Hurunui District Council and specialist volunteers.

Over $33,000 of sponsorship was raised to cover all the costs of the event and this meant that the event was accessible to all students, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Students conducting plant identification. Photo: Steve Attwood.

Students conducting plant identification

The weekend offered students 119 field activities and workshops, each lead by an expert scientist. Participants worked side-by-side to discover and document native species of Nina Valley in a methodological and educational manner.

Eripatus. Photo: Bryce McQuillan.

Some excellent professional photographers covered the event and photographed species for ID

The term ‘Ecoblitz’ was coined to reflect the detailed research into the ecology of the forest, shrub, grasslands and waterways around the Boyle River/Nina Valley. 17 sites in these different habitats sites were selected, based on surveys conducted previously by Lincoln University, and thus provided a baseline on which to compare data and repeat in future years.

Lincoln University is collating all the data which will be sent to students, this includes researching an unidentified sample that may even be a new species!

Students at the campsite. Photo: Steve Attwood.

Students at the campsite

You can find out more information about the event on the Nina Valley Ecoblitz website.

In Canterbury, Native animals, Native plants , , , , , ,
permalink

Photo of the week: Blue Pools fern

Department of Conservation —  14/05/2014

Today’s photo of the week is of a native fern growing next to the Blue Pools on the West Coast of the South Island.

New Zealand is home to about 200 fern species, ranging from ten-metre-high tree ferns, to filmy ferns just 20 millimetres long. About 40% of these species occur nowhere else in the world.

Native fern growing by blue pools. Photo by Daniel Pietzsch | CC BY-NC 2.0.

Te Papa Museum is holding an online Science Live event this Friday (16 May) which will take viewers into the secret world of New Zealand’s ferns.

Botany curator, Leon Perrie, will be there to talk about our native fern species. Leon will also be answering questions during the live broadcast.

The event will be streaming live from 2—2:30 pm on the Te Papa YouTube channel.

Photo by Daniel Pietzsch | CC BY-NC 2.0

In Native plants, Photo of the week, West Coast , , , , , , , ,
permalink