WRCT VOLUNTEERS - Community Waitakere
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WRCT VOLUNTEERS Working together for healthier streams and river through community participation and kaitiakitanga News, views and information on the sustainable management and biodiversity restoration of the Whau River catchment Kia ora koutou - Greetings to you all Find us on Facebook September 2020 WRCT Community Plant Nursery: Individual Volunteers Wanted Thanks to the volunteers who have worked in our nursery this year. Especially to John and Suzanne Newnham (photo) who have worked many hours at the nursery and have helped make a huge difference. Currently we are potting-up plants into larger bags to enable them to grow a good root system for the next planting season. Once they are planted-out, they need to be checked regularly and kept free from invasive weeds. Weeds can grow quicker than the native plants and can smother them. Once weeds are removed, the native plants quickly establish in their new environment. The more native plants we can plant the more food and shelter is available for native wildlife, along with soaking plants ability to absorb carbon dioxide from our atmosphere. If you are willing to give up a bit of your time to our nursery, we are operating most Thursdays and Fridays. Contact Justine by email: justine@whauriver.org.nz or by phone: 021 627 864 for more details. Ecological Restoration: Recent team activity on the Rosebank Peninsula Volunteering Auckland continue to hook us up with some great corporate teams who are fun to work with and fantastic at staying on task. Recently we welcomed LexisNexis and Invacare onto our sites and made great inroads with exotic weed control. We snuck in another 700 plants in early September with the incredible Green S Welfare Force. This was a task we had lined up for a 30 strong local scout group but we couldn’t run the event under Level 2.5 so Green S Welfare Force stepped up and got these plants into the ground with just five volunteers! Lovely to work with such committed group of people. Check out this Seven Sharp piece on their retro threads . 36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 1
Environmental Education: Stream water testing A stream is more than a body of water floating along. It is a home for many plants and animals. Healthy streams have a healthy ecosystem thriving within and around it. The great thing about testing the stream waters health is that you can get a glimpse of the wildlife living within the stream. Each stream is unique; therefore, each stream has a different ecosystem within it. This is something that people can observe when they attend a stream water testing. Last weekend we visited the stream running through the Waikumete Cemetery (Gaden Stream). The observers saw many different species that were not present in the stream tested earlier in the month. There were shrimps, mayfly and stonefly. The presence of mayflies and stoneflies shows that the stream is relatively healthy, as these species are sensitive to pollutants and habitat changes. This is great to see. Next time we are testing a stream in an urban environment. It will be interesting to see what lives there and to compare other results. If you are interested to see what life exists in a stream near you, join us at our next stream monitoring event. Contact Justine by email: justine@whauriver.org.nz or by phone: 021 627 864. Photo taken by Nargiss. Biodiversity: Butterfly habitat The Butterfly Habitat in the Blockhouse Bay Recreational Reserve welcomed their volunteers and members of the Whau Local Board to an impromptu celebration recently to thank the Board for their new interpretative sign. A group of volunteers are improving a section of the Te Ngahere in the park for the benefit of butterflies and butterfly-lovers. Do take a look sometime. It is just beyond the outdoor tennis courts if you are coming from the Rathlin St. car park. At the moment, the monarchs have returned after their overwintering habitat elsewhere in Auckland. Nobody saw any clusters this winter in the park, but perhaps they were there. We have been busy planting Swan Plants (for the monarchs to lay eggs on) and planting plenty of nectar sources for all butterflies. We are hoping that we will see the Honshu White Admirals (Limenitis glorifica) this summer in the park. They were introduced about five years ago from Japan as a biological control for Japanese honeysuckle, of which there is plenty growing in the Blockhouse Bay area. We hope the Honeysuckle plants aren’t sprayed because the less pesticide used the better it is for all of us. Cheers Jacqui. Ecological Restoration: Elephant Grass trials on the Kurt Brehmer Walk Trials have been established on the KBW controlling regrowth of Arundo donax with the minimum use of chemicals. Post cutting, four areas have been given one of the following treatments, 1) covered with a tarp, 2) treated with a glyphosate gel, 3) continuous cutting of re-sprouting shoots to replicate grazing. 4) grubbing out of roots. Te Uru have a fantastic exhibition running just now of botanical photographs which describes Arundo as perhaps the fastest growing plant in the world, capable of >7cm growth a day - great hope of the green fuels movement and bane of wetland conservators. 36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 2
Ecological Restoration: In need of a green workout? People with energy to burn are what we are looking for with this task. Anthony and Ofa pictured were our star volunteers last week, grubbing out Arundo grass root balls. Using a pinch bar, a mattock and sharp spades, they levered out Olympic size quantities of roots, which we will remove off site. You don’t need a massive frame for this task but you do need a strong cardio vascular system and good stamina. It’s a little bit technical too so, you get better at it as you work away. Get in touch if you fancy having a go at this – 2 hours or so is enough for most people and groups of four work very well so we can rotate the tools. Honestly, you will love it. Biodiversity Survey: Native Plants Thank you for all the people who have participated in collecting data for our biodiversity surveys. Getting out into the local parks is such pleasure at this time of the year. The great thing about spring is that we can see the native plants producing flowers and new foliage. Taking photos of these plants via the iNaturalists app helps us to know what native plants are present and thriving within the Whau River Catchment. The data collected (photo) can also assist with knowing if there is enough food and shelter for our native fauna to thrive. The local reserves are green areas that birds from Tiritiri Matangi Island other pest free islands in the Hauraki Gulf and sanctuaries can visit when they are on the mainland. They visit the mainland as the food available is more abundant and diverse, compared to that available on the small landmass of the islands. That is why restoration projects of local reserves is so important. However, to understand how important the restoration projects are we need to monitor the plants, birds, and insects and provide pest control. So participating in our biodiversity survey is the best way to monitor the presence of plants, weeds, insects and birds. We have set up a project on the iNaturalists website called ‘Te Whau Biodiversity Survey 2020’ for anyone to participate. Check it out by clicking on this link. For more information, contact Justine – justine@whauriver.org.nz or Ph: 021627864. Kids’ Corner: Quiz 1) What native bird 2) Am I a toetoe or 3) What non- 4) Which native usually lays their pampas grass? seabird takes the plants eggs in another My flower head is longest non-stop fruits/berries can birds nest, to be present from flight without only be ingested reared by September to taking a break for by the Kereru? another species January and it is food or drink? of bird? golden yellow in colour and droops down. a) Silvereye a) Toetoe a) Banded rail a) Karaka b) Shining cuckoo b) Pampas grass b) Kereru b) Tawa c) Kakapo c) Bar-tailed godwit c) Taraire d) Godwit d) Silvereye d) All of the above 36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 3
Native Plant of the Month: Hangehange (Geniostoma ligustrifolium) This native plant is well known for its sweet fragrance during flowering in late spring produced by the small green white flowers. Hangehange is a shrub up to 4 metres tall with lime green leaves and with slender brittle branches. It is mainly found in lowland and coastal forests. The bright lime green shiny pointed oval leaves are 4-8 cm long and are soft, thin and shiny, giving it a "fresh" look in any coastal forest garden. The flowers give off a distinctive vanilla or hyacinth scent, which in evenings or still weather hangs in the air. The black fruit develops in late summer into a dry black capsule, splitting in two, revealing the small orange seeds. This plant is a common component of understorey and forest margins as it is a forest enrichment plant. This means it can be planted when pioneer species have established or to be added beneath the existing canopy of plants. Hangehange is also an important source of nectar and fruit for the native bird such as the Hihi. Native Bird of the Month: Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis) The silvereye colonised New Zealand from Australia in the 1850s, and is now one of New Zealand’s most abundant and widespread bird species. It is found throughout New Zealand and its offshore and outlying islands, occurring in most vegetated habitats, including suburban gardens, farmland, orchards, woodlands and forests. Silvereyes are small songbirds that are easily recognised by their conspicuous white eye-ring and their plumage (mainly olive-green above and cream below). It is an active, mobile species that moves about frequently, including making sea crossings. Silvereyes eat aphids (hence the alternative name ‘blight bird’), and are a major predator of overwintering codling moth caterpillars. They spread weed seeds and seeds of native trees and shrubs, including kahikatea and coprosma. Silvereyes assist with pollination of some tree species such as kowhai and fuchsia when feeding on nectar. They have no recognised impacts on native bird species. Insect of the Month: Damselfly Damselflies and dragonflies are similar and distinguished by the fact that the wings of most damselflies are held along, and parallel to, the body when at rest. Compared to a dragonfly, who has two sets of similar size wings attached to the side of the body. Furthermore, the hind wing of the damselfly is essentially similar to the forewing, while the hindwing of the dragonfly broadens near the base, caudal to the connecting point at the body. Damselflies are also usually smaller, weaker fliers than dragonflies, and their eyes are separated. Damselfly nymphs and the adults are found throughout New Zealand. They are mostly seen on hot summer’s days and especially in the late evening when they will come back to the water to mate. The adult is most vulnerable when they are mating as they mate on the water and provide a good mouthful for fish. 36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 4
Pest Plant of the Month: Fool’s watercress (Apium nodiflorum) Fool’s watercress is also known as water celery. Although it is usually described as poor man’s cress, it tastes nothing like cress. So it is an unfair comparison, it tastes pleasantly of carrot and is great as a cooked green vegetable. The leaves are oval and a bit more serrated than true Watercress. The flowers are small white flowers with five petals arranged in an umbel (umbrella like). They are usually found in slow moving shallow water, ponds and wet ditches. Their distribution is scattered from Northland to Wellington and abundant in many areas. It has also established in the north and west of the South Island. The plants life cycle of the Fool’s watercress starts as a seed germinating on damp substrates. It can also regrow from detached shoots, which readily form roots. It is native to Britain, central Europe, Asia and North Africa. The plant was probably introduced to New Zealand by contaminated ornamental pond plants. Fool’s watercress can be controlled manually, mechanically or by selective herbicides depending on situation. Kids’ Corner: Quiz answers 1(b) Shining Cuckoo; 2) (a) Toetoe. Toetoe droops to one side (Pampas grass flower head is upright; whitish/pinkish and appears from January to June); 3) (c) Bar-tailed Godwit; 4) (d) All of the above - other birds, that could ingest these plants berries are now extinct (Moa & Huia). The Whau River Catchment Trust: Restoration Projects It feels like summer might be coming early this year. We have had a relatively dry winter and rainfall has so far been less than normal with soil moisture levels being low. Normally planting can extend into October but we have now ceased planting and turned our focus to our summer time activities such as weed control, particularly around new plants. In the New Year, the focus will continue to be on weed control of areas where new plantings will be undertaken during the 2021 winter season. One of our other summer activities involves clearing up litter from riverside areas and the planned Whau River Regatta & Cleanup Day normally held in March each year. This combines enjoying the river from a boat while helping to clean up any litter. Donations & Other Ways to Support the WRCT/FOW As a charitable Trust WRCT/FOW relies on the generosity and goodwill of individuals, corporates and funding organisations so we can keep doing what we do so well – improving the natural environment of the Whau River catchment for everyone to enjoy now and in the future. WOULD YOU LIKE TO FIND OUT MORE If you or anyone you know would like to donate goods, services, time or make a financial donation or a bequest, please contact Gilbert at gilbert@whauriver.org.nz or phone 09-827 3374. We would love to hear from you and discuss how you can help! CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION 36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 5
YOU Can Make a Difference - Show your support for the local environment through our Givealittle Page The work of the WRCT / FOW can now be supported through Givealittle. It is now possible for you to personally make a financial contribution, supporting the ongoing good work already underway helping to protect the Whau River, and for the continued restoration of wildlife habitats within the Whau River catchment. Money raised will go towards the purchase of ecosourced native plants, weed control, litter bins, and generally help with supporting volunteer restoration events for 2020-21. Thank you to all those people who have already made a donation. CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION Givealittle Donation Facts Plants cost on the average around $4.50ea to buy at trade price. So 10,000 plants will cost around $45,000. Some of the plants WRCT use are funded by Auckland Council, but all additional plants we need have to be purchased or grown by WRCT. Can you help by supporting our Givealittle campaign for the WRCT to grow or purchase native plants for our restoration sites? Replacing weeds with natives and restoring wildlife habitats back to the River. The cost to prepare a site before planting and then to maintain it weed free for 2-3 years costs a significant amount of money. As Volunteers can only do so much, the rest of the job often requires experienced Council approved Contractors to help manage a site. Exclusive FOW Quality Supporters Apparel – Sweat Shirt or T Shirts for FOW Volunteers How about supporting FOW by purchasing a FOW Sweatshirt for the changeable spring months and look the part when you come out to help. Crew sweat, raglan sleeves. Heavy weight, 350 GSM 80% cotton, 20% polyester, anti-pill fleece. Neck and sleeve cuff ribbing, pre-shrunk to minimise shrinkage - Different colours available $52.95 incl. GST https://fow.printmighty.co.nz/products/fow-sweatshirt Help promote the work of FOW. You can now buy quality Friends of the Whau T-shirts, Sweat Shirts, Hoodies, Singlets, Raglan Shirts, Canvas Bags and other apparel to show your support for Friends of the Whau. A portion of the sales will go to Friends of the Whau Support Friends of the Whau http://fow.printmighty.co.nz/products. T Shirts Regular fit. Crew neck mid weight, 180 GSM, 28-singles. 100% combed cotton (marles 15% viscose). Neck ribbing, side seamed, shoulder-to-shoulder tape, double needle hems, pre-shrunk to minimise shrinkage. $29.50 incl. GST 36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 6
Community Science –Te Whau Biodiversity Survey 2020 The ‘Te Whau Biodiversity Survey 2020’ is in action on iNaturalist. Last year there was 1000 observations added to the iNaturalist app by people in the community. This year we want to double the number of observations. We need you to help us by taking photos of the animals and plants you observe in your backyard or in your local park. It is easy to do. Just download the iNaturalist app onto your mobile phone and start taking photos for 2020. It is a great opportunity to get out and go for a walk while in lockdown. Why not involve the kids. It is a fun way to learn about what plants and animals live in your local area. For more details and regular updates, follow progress in more detail on our Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment. Just go to iNaturalist https://inaturalist.nz/pages/mobile_apps_nz if you need more information on how to use the iNaturalist phone app. The project recommenced in January 2020 and will run until the 31 st December 2020, thanks to support from the Trusts Community Foundation and Whau Wildlink. Join the iNaturalist Te Whau Biodiversity Survey - https://inaturalist.nz/projects/te-whau-biodiversity-survey-2020. ALTERNATIVELY Send an Email to - info@whauriver.org.nz. 36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 7
WRCT Pest Free Whau: Be part of the effort to see the Whau River Catchment Pest Free by 2050 36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 8
Biosecurity: JOIN THE PEST FREE WHAU PROJECT Our vision is one where native birds and other wildlife can flourish, and everyone works together to support our natural heritage. We are focused on making the Whau River Catchment. Pest Free by 2050. We are committed to eliminating the possums that shred our native trees, the rats and other predators that eat native baby birds and eggs and the weeds that strangle the native bush. Some of our volunteers have begun pest monitoring, and setting out traps. Our strategy to support our native wildlife by removing pests will require a partnership between the community, businesses, schools and central and local government. We need to bring people on board in their homes, their streets, and their workplaces as well as in our reserves by providing information and fostering a spirit of collaboration amongst neighbours to do their bit to control rats, possums, and other animal and plant pests. Contact us if you can help and would like to get involved email info@whauriver.org.nz OR phone 09)627-3372. UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY Further details on our Facebook Page ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION Day Date Time Site Thursdays Ongoing 10am -12.30pm Rosebank Peninsula. Check first contact info@whauriver.org.nz in advance for location each week Sunday 25/10/2020 10am-12.00pm TBC Saturday TBC 12.30pm-2.30pm Te Whau Day Out Archibald Park (Deferred to early 2021) Saturday TBC 10am -12.30pm Kurt Brehmer Walkway. Meet at 14 Charann Place for a Bindweed Blitz, clean-up & War on Wattles. Wednesday 21/10/2020 6pm Te Whau Pathway – Rizal Reserve Opening Ceremony for new section of pathway. 36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 9
EE&A / COMMUNITY SCIENCE Day Date Time Site Saturday 12-Sept 10am-12pm Community Science – Kurt Brehmer Walkway. One space left. Collect data for a good cause. If interested please call or text Justine 021627864 or email justine@whauriver.org.nz Sunday 20-Sept 10am-12pm Community Science – this event is full Tuesday 26-Sept 10am-12pm Stream water testing – Waikumete Cemetery. If interested please call or text Justine 021627864 or email justine@whauriver.org.nz Saturday 3-Oct 10am-12pm Community Science – TBC - Collect data for a good cause. If interested please call or text Justine 021627864 or email justine@whauriver.org.nz Tuesday 13-Oct 10am-12pm Stream water testing –TBC - If interested please call or text Justine 021627864 or email justine@whauriver.org.nz Sunday 18-Oct 10am-12pm Community Science – TBC - Collect data for a good cause. If interested please call or text Justine 021627864 or email justine@whauriver.org.nz Saturday 31-Oct 10am-12pm Stream water testing – TBC - If interested please call or text Justine 021627864 or email justine@whauriver.org.nz Saturday TBC 10am-12pm Bird Count – event TBC - If interested please call or text Justine 021627864 or email justine@whauriver.org.nz YEAR ROUND EVENTS Date / Time Event Who Site All of 2020 Planting, plant releasing, All Welcome Kurt Brehmer Walkway Contact us for a date and Mulching and Clean-ups info@whauriver.org.nz and Rosebank Peninsula time to suit you East All of 2020 Community Science: All welcome All of the Whau River Te Whau Biodiversity (Contact Justine) Catchment Survey (iNaturalist), justine@whauriver.org.nz Stream Monitoring (Waicare), Bird Counts All of 2020 Predator Control – helping All welcome Rosebank Peninsula Contact us for a time & to check our trap lines (Contact Justine) date to suit you particularly on Rosebank justine@whauriver.org.nz Peninsula. All of 2020 Community Plant Nursery All welcome Blockhouse Bay Rec. Contact us for a date and (Plant Propagation) (Contact WRCT) Reserve time to suit you By arrangement. info@whauriver.org.nz It has been a challenging time since the corona virus arrived in our country. It has really turned lives upside down. Most of all it has restricted peoples movement. However, it does not stop us from getting outdoors into nature. Lucky we have had some lovely lockdown weather and summer is around the corner. Justine 36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 10
Regular FOW Volunteer Opportunities (Subject to C-19 Restrictions) *Due to C-19 restrictions under Level 2, outdoor Volunteer activities are limited to groups of 10 people until further notice. Thursday Morning Friends of the Whau Volunteers: Meet every Thursday to work on a range of sites and tasks, learning more about our Whau River catchment as well as getting the job done. Get in touch if you would like to be added to the email list for this informal group. Sessions run 10am – 12.30 noon. Phone 021 295 0302 or email at info@whauriver.org.nz Weekend Friends of the Whau Volunteers: Due to popular demand, if you are busy during the week, we now have more opportunities for you to join us on the weekends. Session times will vary to fit with the calendar, so check first; where possible we will keep them to mornings 10am – 12pm. All are welcome to get active helping us looking after our streamsides with a range of tasks and sites. Check out our Website and Facebook page for details, drop us a text on 021 295 0302, or email info@whauriver.org.nz to find out what’s happening at future events. WRCT Internships 2020: The WRCT has volunteer Intern positions currently available. Internships may be part- time or full-time. A typical internship lasts between 1 and 4 months but can be shorter or longer. The two primary types of internships are: o Work experience internship: Most often, this will be in the second or third year of the school period. The placement can be from 2 months to one full school year. During this period, the student is expected to use the things he/she has learned in school and put them into practice. This way the student gains work experience in their field of study. The gained experience will be helpful to finish the final year of study. o Research internship (graduation) or dissertation internship: students who are in their final year mostly do this. With this kind of internship a student does research for the Trust. The Trust can have something that we feel needs researching, or the students can choose a topic themselves. The results of the research study will be put in a report and often will be presented. Another type of internship growing in popularity is the virtual internship, in which the intern works remotely, and is not physically present at the job location. It provides the capacity to gain job experience without the conventional requirement of being physically present in an office. The internship is conducted via virtual means, such as phone, email, and internet communication. Virtual interns generally have the opportunity to work at their own pace. Please contact Gilbert Brakey at gilbert@whauriver.org.nz for further details. Stay in touch with us via Facebook and our website for more events and latest details. For lots more info go to our website at http://whauriver.org.nz/ Contact the WRCT office for further details phone (09) 627-3372 or email info@whauriver.org.nz. 36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 11
Contacts To contact the WRCT Office – Phone the office on 09)627-3372 or email info@whauriver.org.nz To contact Atu Fanguna – Office Administrator phone the office or 021 839 187 or email atu@whauriver.org.nz To contact Gilbert Brakey – Chair / Manager phone the office or 0274 378867 or email gilbert@whauriver.org.nz To contact our – Ecological Restoration Coordinator phone the office or 021 295 0302 or email info@whauriver.org.nz To contact Justine Newnham – Coordinator phone the office or 021 627 864 or email justine@whauriver.org.nz We gratefully acknowledge the support of Auckland Council RENH, Foundation North, Department of Conservation and The Trusts Community Foundation, Sustainable Business Network, The Trusts (West Auckland). Auckland Council: Whau Local Board, Auckland Council Parks (Central West), Healthy Waters & the Environmental Services Unit. Companies: TreeWorx Ltd & the Rosebank Business Association. If you no longer wish to be on this email list, please reply with 'remove from list' in the subject 36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 12
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