Projects
The projects we undertake from time to time help us further our goals.
Protecting our bush and estuarine habitats
Ring of Steel Project
The Ring of Steel Project, funded by the landowners and the Waikato Regional Council Biodiversity Fund, is an ambitious initiative to help us take a big leap forward with achieving our goals. The aim of the project is to significantly reduce the incursion of animal pests across the boundaries of the conservation area.
Stopping predators at the boundary
With fewer possums, mustelids, cats, rats, possums and hedgehogs entering the area, we will make even greater progress towards creating a safe habitat for kiwi and protecting and preserving existing populations of endangered bittern, banded rail, and fernbird who have become established in the wetland.
More traps in the right places
A grant from the Waikato Regional Council Biodiversity Fund will fund the purchase of more than 200 new traps (AT220, DOC200, and DOC250) and bait stations over two years from 2022. These will be positioned along the boundaries to provide a buffer and reduce the opportunity for pest animals to wander into the conservation area. The DOC200 traps, which target stoats, will be spaced evenly along the three main roadways as well as along the northern boundary. Deteriorating Philproof bait stations will also be replaced.
Improving access
The major tracks will be upgraded and a new track along the edge of the wetland will be built. Improvement of the track network will provide the vital access required to monitor and maintain the traps and bait stations.
We expect that the project will help to reduce predator numbers and lead to an increase in birdlife, including the opportunity for kiwi to establish permanent territories and bittern to sustain their breeding.