Welcome to Behind the Scenes - DOC Fiordland's conservation newsletter No Images? Click here Welcome to Behind the Scenes - DOC Fiordland's conservation newsletterIn this issue:
What's on? Fiordland events The Best of the NZ Mountain Film Festival Back by popular demand! All proceeds from this year's screening will go towards Fiordland College purchasing equipment for their environmental and outdoor education programme. When: * 7pm, Friday 13 October (5 x International Films) Where: Fiordland Events Centre Cost: $10 per session (Under 12 $5), Family of 4 $25 Breakfast with the birds Hear about takahē conservation work and spend time with these iconic birds. Other residents include kākā, kākāriki, ducks, and ruru. Come along for this unique opportunity to meet some of New Zealand's rarest birds. When: Everyday (including weekends) 10:30am - 11:30am Where: Meet by the takahē enclosure at Punanga Manu o Te Anau /Te Anau Bird Sanctuary The latest in Fiordland conservation Fiordland kiwi diaries We have an exciting new project monitoring southern Fiordland tokoeka kiwi in remote Shy Lake, Fiordland. Read the first in a series of conservation blogs and get an insight into the front line work involved in saving our iconic Kiwi through the eyes of our kiwi ranger - Tim. Takahē news The Takahē Recovery Programme is having a busy time as they head into the all-important breeding season. Burwood Takahē Centre, near Te Anau, already the most productive of all the takahē breeding sites has just opened a extensive new enclosure. Thanks to the support of Mitre 10 and many volunteer hours, the 135ha purpose built area will act as a temporary home for 30 VIBs (very important birds). When the breeding season is over these takahē will be translocated to Gouland Downs on the Heaphy Track in Kahurangi National Park with the hope that they will establish the only wild population outside of Fiordland. Rat on Reso sparks biosecurity response Because of its large size (c21,000 ha) and possum and rat free status, Resolution Island is a haven for some of our rare species including Southern Fiordland tokoeka (kiwi), rock wren, Fiordland skink and mohua. The island plays a critical role in the success of the Tamatea/Dusky Sound restoration project. A biosecurity incursion response was immediately launched including the use of Conservation Dogs Gadget and Wai, with no further rats being caught or detected. The rogue rat was caught in a trap near a mooring site indicating the likelihood that it was introduce by boat and prompting a reminder to boaties to be extra vigilant for unwanted stowaways. Saddleback spread their wings to new site in Fiordland In August, 138 South Island tīeke/saddleback were relocated to Five Fingers Peninsula/Tau Moana from predator-free Breaksea, Anchor, Chalky and Passage Islands where populations of the birds had been previously established, and had reached their carrying capacity. It is hoped this large, intensively managed area will allow the overall numbers of endangered tīeke to grow into a sizeable new population. Appointment of positions to Guardians of Lakes Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has announced appointments to the Guardians of Lakes Manapouri, Monowai and Te Anau for the next five years. Three new appointments; Sue Bennett, Madeleine Peacock and Thomas Ives will join existing Guardians of the Lakes; Teri McClelland, Bill Jarvie, Jane Davis, Muriel Johnstone and Darryl Sycamore. Cascade Creek campsite ready for summer A popular campsite on the Milford Road has been getting an upgrade and should be ready for visitors to enjoy before the busy summer season hits. Cascade Creek at the southern end of Lake Gunn, will now be equipped to host up to 300 visitors a night with the establishment of 120 formal camping sites. Get involved Balancing green time with screen time With things warming up their is no excuses to motivate your kids to get outside. Find out easy and fun ways to keep track of how much time your kids are spending outdoors versus indoors, watching TV or on the computer. Help NIWA fill in the gaps If you are among the many hundreds of Kiwis who have invested time and energy into restoring a stream by fencing or planting? Then NIWA want to here from you! NIWA is undertaking a nationwide study (NZ Riparian Database Project) to discover why and to provide better guidance to the people and groups undertaking stream restoration. The online survey should take less than 5 minutes. No fencing or planting work is too old – in fact, old is gold! We Kiwis love our backyard. Whether it's in our own gardens or the Fiordland National Park. Conservation Week is a great time to show our backyard some love, so be sure to keep some time free for the events and activities planned for Fiordland. Newsletter feedback We'd like to know what you think of the Behind the Scenes newsletter and how we can make it even better. |