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Kapiti Observer

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Kapiti Observer

Restoration of any native ecology in an urban setting needs the co-operation of local residents and this may mean a compromise on what types of plants are protected and planted.

This was part of a message shared by 30 volunteers, DOC officers and staff from the local and regional councils when they met recently on an educational programme.

The meeting at Kaitawa Reserve at Riwai Street, Paraparaumu, was also the celebration of the work put in by the Kapiti branch of Forest and Bird to restore this neglected reserve.

Spokesman for the organisation John McLachlan said Forest and Bird's involvement with the reserve started five years ago after resisting a KCDC plan to sell of off part of the neglected reserve for residential purposes.

Since then a group had been working on 6.8 hectare site to protect and restore the vegetation. They have since put in 8000 plants. "It has not been a purist approach. Exotics have been donated by residents to ensure nourishment for birds in winter," he said.

The case of an old plum tree that fed native pigeons was mentioned as a case in point.

The message of compromising and encouraging local residents to be involved with the restoration project was also repeated by DOC officer Ian Cooksley talking on the ecology of riparian margins, and Dick Gill who talked on habitat requirements for native fish.

The reserve forms part of the catchment of the Wharemauku Stream which flows through Coastlands.

The meeting is part of a series of events held in the Wellington region to foster an exchange of skills and experience amongst the groups making up the Ecological restoration Network.

The network is supported by DOC, WRC and the cities and district councils in the region.

Keywords
Department of Conservation  NZERN 

Updated 20/11/2008 4.11AM by PIPI4