Looking back at his busy and ground-breaking time at Zealandia, where he was part of the pioneering group, he said the job had changed from sowing the seeds of future restoration to more about outreach and education.
"Those things seem to translate to this site."
Zealandia work was "full on" and "largely experimental", especially in the early days.
"You never had time to kind of pull back and think 'wow we're really doing something different here'," he said.
Mr Booth said his focus at Nga Manu was "largely about continuing the work that has been done" at the reserve but steadily improving aspects, probably starting with some health and safety initiatives.
"I see potential in just about every direction I look."
One of the possible opportunities is new wetlands being created by the reserve courtesy of the Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway work.
"Once that [wetlands] is developed, and the transport agency step away from the immediate management of it, they'll be looking for someone to manage it for them, and it seems quite natural that we could step into that space as well.
"That would extend the reserve not only geographically, but also bring in more volunteers."
He was proud of the "small and very dedicated group" at the reserve but was keen to see more people help, especially young families.
Mr Booth, who has two driving forces behind his passion for conservation -- seeing the restoration of flora and fauna as well as community involvement -- noted the reserve was well established and embraced by the community.
He marvels at its "beautiful forest" and although he would miss the bird song at Zealandia, his "ears are starting to prick up now and beginning to hear what I've inherited rather than left behind".
