A Canterbury school group’s dream of halting the decline of kiwi in their local conservation area became a step closer to reality with the release of six adult birds last week.
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Last month we told the story of the Nina Valley ‘Ecoblitz’ — a monumental collaboration involving scientists, senior high school students, university students, teachers, and helpers working together to discover and document the species of North Canterbury’s Nina Valley and surrounds.
Today, we’re happy to report of their recent (earlier this week) success at the Ministry for the Environment Green Ribbon Awards — taking out both the ‘Supreme winner’ and the ‘Communication and education’ awards.
Well done to everyone involved in this inspiring event!
Common skink
Moth trapping with Brian Patrick
The beech forest and rock tops of the Lewis valley
Wendy and Tim Kelly welcome high school students from across Canterbury and Westland to the Nina Valley EcoBlitz
Nina Valley EcoBlitz students
Nina Valley EcoBlitz
Nina Valley EcoBlitz students
Nina Valley EcoBlitz students
Who you gonna call?
Surveying the lichens and bryophytes
Nina Valley EcoBlitz students
Another exciting Green Ribbon win was the Genesis Energy Whio Recovery Programme, which took out the ‘Protecting our biodiversity’ award.
This five-year partnership between Genesis Energy, DOC, Forest & Bird and the Central North Island Blue Duck Charitable Trust is all about the protection and recovery of whio, which are rarer than some species of kiwi.
National Whio Recovery Group Leader, Andrew Glaser and Neo
The Whio is endemic to New Zealand, and one of only four ducks species in the world that lives in fast flowing water
Over 6,000 people came through the Auckland Zoo over the Whio Family Fun Weekend
Tongariro whio rangers Malcolm Swanney and Bubs Smith push 500 plastic blue ducks in preparation for the blue duck race at Auckland Zoo
Andrew Glaser at a whio release in Taranaki
Learning about whio at the Whio Family Fun days at Auckland Zoo
DOC rangers at a whio release
The Great Whio Adventure Competition saw one lucky family spend a day working alongside DOC rangers
Releasing whio onto the Tongariro River in March 2014
Tagging a whio for release in Taranaki
By working with Genesis Energy on this programme, we are able to do more work to protect the whio and provide practical and immediate on-the-ground benefits for these threatened birds.
Both these projects show what New Zealanders can achieve by working together to preserve our outstanding natural wealth.
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.
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
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.
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
You can find out more information about the event on the Nina Valley Ecoblitz website.