How to look after Hurunui’s varied and precious biodiversity was the cause bringing people together for a lively gathering on Sunday afternoon, 18 May, at the Scargill Domain pavilion near Greta Valley.

Organised by the Hurunui Biodiversity Trust (HBT), this inaugural Hurunui Conservation Groups Networking Forum sought ideas about how to strengthen community initiatives and ‘join the dots’. Over 30 community groups active throughout Hurunui district were invited to attend and 25 people representing the groups came along to share experiences, ideas and get to know each other better.

In the context of Hurunui’s large territory and scattered population, most groups of volunteers work on shoestring budgets, focus their activities around local projects and don’t interact much with each other. However, this is changing; for example, groups of trappers working in the Lewis Pass area have formed a loose alliance. More resourced organisations such as the Hurunui District Landcare Group and Amuri Irrigation Company are supporting biodiversity-focused initiatives amongst its landowner members and making progress with large-scale catchment projects. The HBT’s volunteer group Hurunui Weedbusters also operates across the district.

The forum highlighted interest mainly in pest trapping and weed control, with planting projects also considered. Stimulating discussion was generated by break-out groups asked to consider obstacles to their work and goals, and what support is needed to overcome these. Themes included: engaging and upskilling volunteers; sourcing more long-term funding; building relationships with agencies such as DOC, ECAN and HDC; tapping into technical expertise and training; inspiring more public interest and goodwill; getting children and young people involved, and how better collaboration could help with all of the above. Also raised were the benefits of using an entity such as HBT, which is a registered charity, to advocate, network and possibly help with joint fund-raising, given shrinking funding for nature-based projects nationwide.

Following an animated afternoon tea came presentations about the Blythe Valley Community Catchment Group’s successful trapping project and ideas for trap libraries, weed-control strategies to target invasive weeds in Hurunui, and the HBT’s geographical biodiversity resource, HuBZAP. The programme concluded with an open discussion around planning the next steps, which HBT trustees will coordinate with input from its support-base of groups.

For information about Hurunui Biodiversity Trust and conservation groups active in the district, go to hurunuibiodiversity.org
To join HBT’s mailing list or make contact, email Hurunui Biodiversity Trust, [email protected]