“The vine had climbed 8 or more metres into the canopy to overwhelm and smother the native forest giant kahikatea,” Kate says.
“Hundreds of privet and Taiwan cherry trees were towering over native plants and seeding throughout the reserve and into the surrounding land. They had the potential to completely dominate the reserve.”
Volunteers have met at least monthly since its inception to work through the reserve, with the aim of eradicating all pest species.
Initially, the focus was only pest plants but before long, volunteers began pest animal control targeting possums, hedgehogs, mustelids and rats.
Pest plant and animal control is an ongoing challenge, Kate says.
“As always, partnership and persistence has been the key to reaching the five-year milestone of people and organisations working together with nature to make sure that I’Anson Bush Reserve remains the community asset envisioned by Keith and Taki I’Anson.”
The Friends group is also facing another challenge with the development of the new Takitimu Northern Link road extension set to affect the reserve. The group is negotiating with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to ensure the impacts are minimal.
INFO: Kate on 027 200 6732 or kate.loman-smith@westernbay.govt.nz
