Calling on hardy volunteers to help a major wetland recover from invasive weeds! We’ll join Chris Hughey of Te Tihi O Rauhea/Hanmer Springs Conservation Trust, to tackle blackberry, cotoneaster and other gnarly plants that are choking the wetland’s native harakeke/flax, carex secta and kanuka. Our job will be to clear access to exotic trees targeted for the ‘drill and fill’ method of poisoning, which Chris will demonstrate.

The wetland is formed by a stream that criss-crosses it in channels. These can be up to a metre deep and at times concealed, so we’ll need to watch where we put our feet.

Directions:
From Hanmer Springs town centre, turn right at Jollies Pass Rd. Go over the bridge a short distance and on the left is the gate to Pawson Road, where there is parking on the verge. Chris will meet us there at 9.45 am. The wetland is located in a nearby forestry block, which we’ll access in shared 4WD vehicles. (*Pawson Road is a forestry road so does not appear on Google Maps.)

We’ll provide some tools such as loppers and pruning saws, but if you want to bring yours, please do. Wear long pants and sleeves, and sturdy boots and work gloves. Bring a change of footwear for afterwards. On our return we can stop at the picturesque Woodland Ponds, also restored by the local trust, for a BYO picnic lunch. The tea, coffee and cake are on us!

Please register with Belinda Meares, Hurunui Biodiversity Trust, [email protected], 0221 600 383, or Rima Herber, [email protected], 027 8722 329.
Please provide your phone number and let us know if you’d like to rideshare from Amberley. If the weather looks poor on the day, we’ll contact you. Sunday 11 May is our backup day.