The Forest Bridge Trust

from Mahurangi Matters_Issue 450_13 March 2023

Conservation group gears-up for new initiatives

Nikki Morgan, Marketing and Comms www.theforestbridgetrust.org.nz

Trapping data

The focus of The Forest Bridge Trust is to achieve a predatorcontrolled corridor of land, from the west coast to the Pacific Ocean. We aim to have 54,000 hectares under mustelid (stoats, weasels, and ferrets) by 2025. Predator control is a large part of what we do, contacting landowners, implementing trapping plans, setting up traplines and maintaining traps across the rohe. We are thrilled to report some excellent progress over the fourth quarter of last year. A total of 3058 pests were caught, more than double the amount caught during the same period in 2021. Mustelids made up 169 of the catch recordings. These are encouraging numbers and mean that the native birds and insects in our area are facing fewer threats from predators to their habitats, nests and offspring. With all the hard work that goes into trapping pests, it is vital that catch data is recorded, sent in and analysed. With over 2000 traps in the rohe, the information collected helps us be accountable, ensures that we are meeting funding targets, trapping in the correct areas and that we are aware of the whereabouts, numbers and species of pests entering the area. It is vital to record each time a trap is checked, even if nothing is caught. Then we know which traps are active across the rohe. Many landowners and volunteers use the Trap NZ smartphone app to instantly record catch data into the system while out checking traps, but for those who prefer old-fashioned pen and paper, we have people is on hand to help by entering recorded catch data that is emailed in after a trapline is checked.

Traps should be checked once a month during summer, particularly during dispersal season (pests leaving the natal area), and in late summer it is good to increase trap checking to once a fortnight.

The main traps we use are Flipping Timmys, DOC 200s and DOC 250s.

The Flipping Timmys are tree mounted and are used for catching possums, the DOC 200s are wooden boxes that are set on the ground to target stoats and weasels (though they will also catch rats), and the DOC250s are slightly larger and designed to catch all mustelids including ferrets. All the traps that we use are NAWAC approved for humane trapping.

The Forest Bridge Trust is always looking for volunteers to help maintain traplines across the rohe and full training is given. It’s a great community give back and you have the opportunity to see some beautiful country. You don’t need to take a lot of equipment out with you, just TrapNZ app on a fully charged smartphone (or pen and paper if you prefer to record manually), a screwdriver (for the DOC traps), bait, gloves, a dish brush for cleaning trap plates, and a trowel or mattock to rough up the earth around the trap.

If you would like to volunteer to help maintain a trapline, email our volunteer coordinator Elena elena@theforestbridgetrust.org,nz or if you are a landowner wanting to get started with a predator control programme for your property, contact community liaison Tris 0220 240 314 or tris@theforestbridgetrust. org.nz

The friends of Awa Matakanakana Catchment (FOAM)

FOAM’s aim is in the restoration and maintenance of a healthy Sandspit estuary and the two rivers that feed into it, focusing on the wider catchment impact and the environmental health of the area, and the importance of these waterways for present and future generations.

FOAM undertakes water quality monitoring (nitrates, phosphates, ammonia, macroinvertebrates, contamination and sediment) at 15 sites, riparian planting and wetland restoration. FOAM seeks volunteers interested in learning about testing our rivers and joining small teams for regular monitoring, as well as volunteers for one off events . FOAM is also seeking a treasurer for the committee, and new secretary. Email contact matakanakana2@gmail.com or txt Jo 027 430 6822

Snells Shoreline Conservation Community

Snells Shoreline Conservation Community hosts volunteer work mornings on the second Sunday of each month, except January. We remove invasive weeds, plant native plants, clear rubbish from the beach, control predators, and much more. You can help restore the fragile ecosystems of Snells Beach with small actions that will make a big difference to endemic and native flora and fauna. Meet by Bayside Café, 9-11am, Sunday 9 April. Info: www.snellsconservation.org more information email matakanakana2@gmail.com

5 April Matakana Cinema “For The Blue” Mahurangi Wastebusters fundraiser screening. Tickets at www.matakanacinemas.co.nz