Celebrating ecological restoration in the Wellington Region

Admission Free, Lunch provided
Bring along someone new and go into the draw to win a $100 book voucher donated by Touchwood Books

Programme
8.30am Set up group displays
9.00am Registration and workshop confirmation
9.20am Introduction
9.30am Keynote address: Dr Geoff Park
10.30am Morning tea
11am Wairarapa Roundup speaker (15 min each)
11.45am Activities and talks session 1
12.45pm Lunch
1.30pm Activities and talks session 2
2.30pm Activities and talks session 3
3.30pm Afternoon tea
3.45pm Closing speeches & thanks
4.00pm Finish

Talks

B. Mistletoe hunting in forest remnants
Harvey Phillips, Biosecurity Officer, Greater Wellington Regional Council
Find out more about our fascinating native mistletoe species, how to identify them, where they occur, their likely habitat and what plant species they usually grow on. Also good websites and who to contact when you find them.

C. Rarities to weeds: what have you got on your property?
Pat Enright, local expert
This talk will discuss the flora of the Wairarapa, the variety in the different ecological districts, taipo vegetation, wetland vegetation, weeds in general and some in particular. If time permits it will also cover how to go about getting permission and surveying a site. It takes at least a year and several visits to thoroughly cover a site properly, and this may contrast with sites that are surveyed once and a decision made on that survey as to its ecological value.

D. Museum pieces or living treasures? Threatened flora & fauna of Wairarapas forest remnants
John Sawyer, Plant Ecologist, Department of Conservation
This talk/workshop will describe some of the most important elements of the flora and fauna of the Wairarapa and conservation measures required to ensure their survival. From the newly described endemic Tararua matipo (Myrsine umbricola) to nationally threatened plants such as the woodrose (Dactylanthus taylori) and all 8 species of mistletoe (such as Alepis flavida, Peraxilla tetrapetala, Korthalsella clavata and Tupeia antarctica) - the Wairarapa is full of botanical treasures. The importance of the animal life of the Wairarapa cannot be overstated with many species, such as the short tailed bat and the kereru, playing vital roles. Other threatened wildlife include the spotted skink, the katipo spider and the endemic Notoreus moth. Are all these natural treasures becoming isolated museum pieces destined for extinction? Some of the many actions necessary to protect the Wairarapa's plant and animal life will be described such as maintaining linkages between forest remnants and preventing the spread of exotic pest plants and animals.

E. Lizards of our region
Richard Romijn, Environmental Educator, Greater Wellington Regional Council
Come and learn about the lizards of the Wellington region, past and present. Find out why some species have become locally extinct and the threats that are faced by those species still present on the mainland. Learn about local lizard conservation measures. Participate in activities that will help you to identify the lizards that you are most likely to find and learn how to report your findings to the Department of Conservation.

Walks and Workshops Workshops:

F. Biodiversity monitoring: a regional perspective with a practical demonstration
Sara Moylan, Biosecurity Officer (Monitoring), Greater Wellington Regional Council
A regional perspective with a focus on the Tauherenikau site and a practical demonstration of monitoring tools. Bird monitoring through bird call identification - where to find bird calls on the internet. Pest animal monitoring including rodents and possums.

G. Predator control in our "Key Native Ecosystems"
Murry Clarke and Steve Playle, Biosecurity Officers (Animals), Greater Wellington Regional Council
A walk around the bush at the racecourse. Will include a hands on / have a go demonstration setting up bait stations and predator traps.

H. Beating weeds: a practical workshop
Wayne Cowan, Biosecurity Officer (Plants), Greater Wellington Regional Council
A practical demonstration of weed control equipment and techniques.

I. How to: a practical plant propagation workshop
Robyn Smith, QE II Trust, Wellington Regional Rep
How to sow seed, prick out and pot on plants, with tips on ethical seed collection. Fieldtrips Fieldtrips:

J. Restoring the bush at Tauherenikau
Michael Urlich, Biosecurity Officer (Plants) Greater Wellington Regional Council
A walk and talk through the restoration at Tauherenikau Bush looking at how it was done and what was learnt from the successes and failures.

K. Our native freshwater fish
Mike Joy, Lecturer in Environmental Science and Ecology, Massey University
The ecology of the fish that live in our region; where they live and why. Their threats and future.

L. Native forest & wetland restoration at Gretal Lagoons
Neil Hayes, landowner
In 1990, the Hayes family purchased a major part of the Taumata Lagoon which is an outstanding oxbow lagoon with a remnant block of native bush. The bush was logged in 1964, but in 1990 the Hayes family undertook a major native bush restoration programme and have now planted nearly 4,000 kahikatea, totara and native flax. Now 7.5 hectares is under a QEII covenant and has Key Native Ecosystem (KNE) status.

Please bring sturdy footwear, warm and comfortable clothing / wet weather gear. NB:
1. Touchwood books for sale however NO EFTPOS, (cash and credit card only).
2. Be in the draw to win a $100.00 book voucher if you bring along a friend who has never participated in a Restoration Day.

RSVP To book phone Eloise Page (GWRC) on (04) 802 0327
email eloise.page@gw.govt.nz

For further information
Please phone
Jo Fagan (04) 803 0367 or
Paula Loader (04) 801 1027
email Paula.loader@gw.govt.nz

View Programme online http://www.gw.govt.nz/restoration

Restoration day is organised under the umbrella of the New Zealand Ecological Restoration Network by Greater Wellington, the Department of Conservation and this year has been sponsored by the Queen Elizabeth II Trust, the Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology at Victoria University of Wellington, Touchwood books, Vynfields and the Ron Greenwood Environmental Trust.