Repairing Wairarapa Wilderness

Forest and Bird, Issue 295, 1 February 2000, Page 42

Repairing Wairarapa Wilderness

Chris Peterson

wo projects of Wairarapa Forest and Bird aim at restoring natural values in the area. A ‘pest eradication assistance programme is run in partnership with the local branch of Ducks Unlimited. The scheme targets the mustelids (ferrets, weasels and stoats) which are such serious predators of native birds. Under the scheme, Fenn and Timms traps are hired to local famers, and others, along with advice on how to get rid of pests. Funds for the traps came from successful grant applications. A second project seeks to raise 40,000 native seedlings; a symbolic number representing a tree for every resident of

Wairarapa. The trees are to be planted out this year and next. The community at large, including schools, will be encouraged to become involved in the planting of selected sites. It is hoped the endeavour will focus attention on the tremendous loss of indigenous flora and fauna through the last 150 years, and the imperative for a better environmental ethic in the next. Five previously unemployed people are involved under an employment promotion scheme funded by the Masterton District Council and Work and Income New Zealand. There has also been support from the Lottery Millennium Fund.