Hawke's Bay environment projects receive support
Date: 21 October 2008
Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation
Seven projects in Hawke's Bay, aimed at protecting threatened species and enhancing the local environment, are to benefit from the latest round of the Biodiversity Funds, Labour MP Parekura Horomia and Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick said today.
The Hawke's Bay projects are among 71 projects throughout the country that will receive a total of $1.3 million from the Biodiversity Funds, announced by Environment Minister Trevor Mallard and Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick today.
Hawke's Bay received $31,628 for seven projects. Six of these projects are collaborations between the QEII National Trust and landowners who have covenanted areas of their property to protect the biodiversity values. One of these is for weed control in two hectares of a 23 hectare QEII Covenanted land west of Hastings. The lowland kowhai-kanuka and pittosporum forest are found in steep sided gorges, and are home to tui, bellbirds and kereru. The rarity and diversity of this habitat makes the area ecologically important to the district.
"The projects are a great example of collaboration and partnerships between regional and local councils, central government, private landowners and local communities. The support from the Labour-led government is great news for our local environment and demonstrates Labour's commitment to biodiversity," Parekura Horomia said.
"The Biodiversity Funds are really zeroing in on the National Priorities for Biodiversity, so that threatened species, such as mudfish, kiwi and New Zealand dotterel will benefit. "At risk" environments, including coastal dune lands, lowland forests and freshwater habitats such as wetlands and streams are also receiving this support," Steve Chadwick said.
"The Biodiversity Funds over the last seven years have provided financial assistance to almost 1000 projects on private land. A new $4 million Community Conservation Fund will support community initiatives on public land. That means there is now significant investment being made by the Labour-led government to support community and landowner-led initiatives in halting the decline of New Zealand's biodiversity," Steve Chadwick said.
The next funding round for the Biodiversity Funds will open towards the end of October.
Other Hawkes Bay Biodiversity Fund 2008 recipients:
Organisation: QEII National Trust
A grant of $4,166 over one year will be used to remove wilding pine in the covenanted areas on the Williams property, 90km south of Napier. The Middle Upokororo Stream runs through the area and the bush includes large kahikatea, matai and rimu canopy and is home to many native birds.
A grant of $7,337 over three years will assist with weed control in 13 hectares of forest, located 60km north of Napier. Four blocks make up this covenanted area, where kahikatea, karaka, tawa and titoki are found, as well as manuka, lacebark, mamaku, mahoe and cabbage trees. The area provides corridors and habitat for native birds such as the grey warbler, kereru, tui, bellbird and kingfishers.
A grant of $4,695 will assist with wilding pine control in three privately owned QEII covenants located in the Hawke's Bay. The three sites cover a total of 144 hectares of different ecosystem types, including lowland forest, wetland, and riparian kanuka forest, and provide habitat and food sources for native species. This project is also supported by the landowners and the regional council.
A grant of $5,971 will assist with old mans beard control over ten privately owned QEII covenants located in the Hawke's Bay. Covering 120 hectares, each of these areas provides different ecosystem types and habitat for various native species. This project complements work undertaken by Hawkes Bay Regional Council, QEII National Trust and the landowners.
A grant of $1,123 will be used for weed control on a limestone cliff face, 19km north of Napier. The landowners have already planted over 6000 natives since 2002, and this project will further enhance biodiversity and protect an adjacent historical pa site.
Organisation: The Conservation Company Ltd
A grant of $4,000 will be used to share findings from a successful ivy control project with ecologists, consultants, and biosecurity staff. The innovative methods of controlling this invasive weed were trialled on private land on the East Coast on a 130 hectare covenanted area, and involved controlling stock access and followed by spraying and hand pulling of regrowth and seedlings.
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