I am monitoring the weather closely. We are reluctant to postpone the Open Day unless we really need to. I will post a decision by 9am tomorrow (Saturday) at the very latest.
Image source: TV1 website
Friday, September 17, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
A Mangaiti Gully Restoration Open Day.
Saturday 18th September1pm
To be held below the foot bridge.
Accessible beside 64 St James drive or 2 Grenache Pl off Coleraine Drive, Rototuna.
The objective of the open day is to see how much interest there is in the community in a local gully restoration project and to show case the gully’s potential. This will be measured by how many people register their email addresses onto the restoration group’s email news letter list.
Restoration in its very basic form is to clear areas of foreign weed and plant species and replant in native flora however we are hoping that there is enough interest to set up a number of groups with interest in biodiversity within the gully ecosystem.
This could involve recording and photographing existing native flora, monitoring bird species and numbers, surveying the existence of native fish in the stream and designing an eco system to support them, investigate the possibility of creating ecosystems to support the re- introduction of native lizards, insects and molluscas, surveying the possibility of a bat colony in the gully system, pest control of rats, possums, hedgehogs and mustelids. For the keen gardeners perhaps growing eco – sourced native seeds for future plantings.
It is possible that some of these group activities could become school projects.
We think it is important that people understand that they do not have to be an expert in any of these fields. Hamilton is very lucky to have a wide range of resources to draw on for support and guidance. Hamilton City Council is very well organised to support community plantings and work in closely with anyone that is committed. Waikato University has a number of researchers covering all the fields of biodiversity and has done a number of research papers on Hamilton gully systems under the guidance of Bruce Clarkson, Department of Biological Science. And then there is DOC, Landcare and Environment Waikato all of which have their specialities.
Photo supplied by Hamilton Press
Restoration in its very basic form is to clear areas of foreign weed and plant species and replant in native flora however we are hoping that there is enough interest to set up a number of groups with interest in biodiversity within the gully ecosystem.
This could involve recording and photographing existing native flora, monitoring bird species and numbers, surveying the existence of native fish in the stream and designing an eco system to support them, investigate the possibility of creating ecosystems to support the re- introduction of native lizards, insects and molluscas, surveying the possibility of a bat colony in the gully system, pest control of rats, possums, hedgehogs and mustelids. For the keen gardeners perhaps growing eco – sourced native seeds for future plantings.
It is possible that some of these group activities could become school projects.
We think it is important that people understand that they do not have to be an expert in any of these fields. Hamilton is very lucky to have a wide range of resources to draw on for support and guidance. Hamilton City Council is very well organised to support community plantings and work in closely with anyone that is committed. Waikato University has a number of researchers covering all the fields of biodiversity and has done a number of research papers on Hamilton gully systems under the guidance of Bruce Clarkson, Department of Biological Science. And then there is DOC, Landcare and Environment Waikato all of which have their specialities.
Photo supplied by Hamilton Press
Friday, August 20, 2010
Promoting the open day
- There is a news article on page 7 of the 18th August Hamilton Press community news paper in support of our open day.
- Rototuna School and Hukanui School have been approached to see if they would put an advert in their news letter for our open day. I am not sure if this is possible as I do not know what their school policy is.
- Requests have gone to the Ornithological Society and the Forest and Bird soliciting their support. The response was positive and enthusiastic.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Page updates
- Revised and updated the “Planting List” page with input from Paul Duff and Wayne Bennett.
- Updated the map and added a google earth view to “The Gully” page.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Gully visit with Hamilton City Council
Monday 26th July
Paul Duffy, Contract Supervisor – Natural Areas, Hamilton City Council and I walked the gully as a follow up on last Wednesday’s meeting to further familiarise ourselves on what the gully offered and to discuss potential restoration options.
Paul Duffy, Contract Supervisor – Natural Areas, Hamilton City Council and I walked the gully as a follow up on last Wednesday’s meeting to further familiarise ourselves on what the gully offered and to discuss potential restoration options.
Meeting with interested parties at Hamilton City Council
On Wednesday 21st July Robin and I had a meeting at Hamilton City Council with Gerard Kelly, Community Planting Co-ordinator, Paul Duffy, Contract Supervisor – Natural Areas, and Tim Newton, Gully Restoration Officer.
On the agenda was:
Councils long term vision for the gully
Objective for the open day set for 1pm on Sat.18th Sept.
Suitable speakers for the open day and the format.
A draft public invitation mailer was tabled
How to use an email list and blog for effective communication to interested people
Funding options
Possibility of Maori involvement and contacts.
On the agenda was:
Councils long term vision for the gully
Objective for the open day set for 1pm on Sat.18th Sept.
Suitable speakers for the open day and the format.
A draft public invitation mailer was tabled
How to use an email list and blog for effective communication to interested people
Funding options
Possibility of Maori involvement and contacts.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Birds around the gully
A Tui was seen today in the gully at the back of Hukanui School. A Grey Wabler was heard a few days ago in a heavily treed property very near the gully. If we can get the rat numbers down it would be great to get the numbers up with successful chick rearing.
Tui photo from www.tuiscope.co.nz/
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