Community Helps Forest Regeneration

Forest and Bird, Issue 302, 1 November 2001, Page 41

Community Helps Forest Regeneration

— DIANE MENZIES

ossum Busters’ was set up in Eastbourne, Wellington, five years ago, to overcome the possums which were the scourge of coastal forests in Eastbourne and surrounding hills. Forest and Bird member Jeff Booth, from the community group, sees much progress since then. ‘Tam amazed at the increase in the bush canopy after five years of regeneration, says Jeff. He has taken over the traps of departing Possum Busters and has passed them on to others as well. A fifth-former from Eastbourne has been given four traps and is now looking after a gully that

Jeff previously cleared of possums. Others, such as Will Louden, are moving further into the forest to tackle the pest. ‘You used to see droppings everywhere around here. Now you don’t even hear possums at night, Jeff says. The group has worked in conjunction with a skin dealer, providing a useful means of disposal. Jeff initially undertook a poisons course, paid for by Hutt City, but now believes that trapping is safer and as effective. The group has 60 traps and initially recorded its catches: 1200-odd possums in 1998. Jeff was then catching

8-10 possums a week. ‘Now I may catch one possum a week from 10 traps, he says. Jeff Booth discovered a previously unidentified patch of mature fuchsia in the bush behind Eastbourne and now, free of possum browsing, the fuchsia is flowering prolifically. Possum Busters consists of local people and the project continues to be a community initiative, supported by Hutt City. In May 2001 the Wellington Regional Council gave notice that it too would support this work by plant and animal pest control in the area. Pests remaining include deer, pigs, and rats.

The group complements the Mainland Island Restoration Organisation Eastbourne (MIRO) — a project initiated by the East Harbour Environmental Association. In partnership with the residents, MIRO is undertaking bird counts and photographic recording to monitor the benefits of continuing trapping. ‘The next problem to be tackled is feral cats, says Jeff. ‘I have seen evidence of native pigeon predation, trails of feathers down the hill. We need the Department of Conservation’s advice on this as it is a sensitive issue.