Kepler Peninsular Conservation Project

So far nearly 60km of stoat trapping takes place on the Kepler Great Walk, which is funded and managed by the Kepler Challenge Committee. The Kepler track encompasses an area of 10,500ha. A string of endangered species inhabit this area include the kiwi, whio, kaka, kea, kakariki, robin, rock wren, mohua and weka. This makes the Kepler Mountains a very special site right here next to Te Anau Township. These birds need more protection to ensure their long-term survival and to rebuild the populations to a healthy density. Further extending the stoat trap network on this peninsular and undertaking possum control would be a great benefit to most of these endangered birds and likewise boost the local populations of more common species such as tui, bellbirds, fantails and kereru.

Latest news

Kids Restore the Kepler set up now fully funded

Project Update July 2011

Thanks to the incredible support from Kids Restore NZ (an off shoot of the Air New Zealand Environment Trust) and the Community Trust of Southland, the set up for stage one of the Kepler Backyard Birdsong project is now fully funded.  The total cost of the set-up of $220,000 spread over two years is funded by our naming rights partner Kids Restore NZ to the tune of $150,000 and over $70,000 from the Community Trust of Southland.

We are incredibly grateful to both these Trusts for their significant support of what we see is a tremendous step towards our goal of bringing the birdsong back to the Kepler Peninsular.  We see the goal of a ‘sanctuary’ within walking distance of the Te Anau township being hugely beneficial to our wider local community in many ways, but especially for our local students.  In stage one (Kids Restore the Kepler) of the three stage Kepler Backyard Birdsong project, all three of our local schools, plus our pre-school organisations will be involved to a degree in the project and activities relating to the project.  Fiordland College in particular is heavily involved, including various aspects of the project in to their College curriculum.  No mean feat!  Watch this space for some amazing stories coming out of all our education organisations.

Are you interested in being involved?

With the set up cost now funded, our focus moves to ensuring the on-going costs are covered.  We have support from Kids Restore NZ for $50,000 pa towards the total cost of $90,000 pa.  We have a group of individuals looking to adopt a line which will help reduce this cost further, and the Trust are working with local businesses who may be interested in assisting with support funding.  As groups and organisations become involved, the on-going cost should not look so daunting.

We continue to seek support from individuals, groups or organisations who wish to get involved in this project in any way, big or small.  Whether you would like to adopt a line, a trap, or support one of the schools with their on-going involvement we would be glad of your help.

Thank you again to Kids Restore NZ, Community Trust of Southland, DOC & the local education organisations for supporting this project.  

Rachel Cockburn, Trust Manager, FCT

 

Kepler Backyard Birdsong - Kids Restore the Kepler

24 November 2010

“Kids Restore the Kepler” is a project of huge significance to the Fiordland Community. The aim of this project is to restore the Kepler area to its former state. The overall focus is to reduce the number of pests, in the lower 3,000ha of the Kepler and then eventually the entire Kepler peninsula. From here, the next step is to bring back some of the species which are currently close to extinction in this area. Whenever a species disappears, Fiordland loses part of its iconic history.

The students of Fiordland College, the Te Anau Primary School, in conjunction with the Fiordland Conservation Trust and the Department Of Conservation launched the “Kids Restore the Kepler” project in Te Anau last night.

Attending the launch were representatives of Kids restore New Zealand, who announced their sponsorship of Stage 1 of the project.  Also present were Fiordland College staff and students, Representatives of Te Anau Primary School, Department of Conservation Staff, and interested community members.

Rachel Cockburn, Trust Manager of the Fiordland Conservation Trust, said that the community is incredibly lucky to have Kids Restore New Zealand committing such significant funding to a conservation project of this scale in Fiordland. Kids Restore New Zealand is an offshoot of the Air New Zealand Environment Trust.

Reg Kemper, Area Manager for the Department of Conservation’s Te Anau Area Office, said visitors to the Kepler Track should be deafened by the sound of birds, able to marvel at the plant life and witness amazing invertebrates, but introduced pests have devastated their homes. Some species are still present but they need more protection to ensure their long-term survival. By controlling stoats, rats and possums, the unique flora and fauna of this area will increase and this is expected to have a spill over effect into the Te Anau township. The ability to get involved with this project will be open to everyone and is strongly encouraged.
Emma McLean (age 15) who is the spokesperson for the Fiordland College Students, said that the project has taught them new skills every day, enabling them to take care of their environment and its sustainability. She said there is no better way of doing this than getting Fiordland children out into the environment.

“What is so exciting about this project is that it has the potential to deliver the best of both environmental and educational outcomes for our students” Linda Miller, Principal of Fiordland College, said. “Students from Fiordland College will make a difference in the world as a result of their involvement in this project of international, national and local significance.”

The various groups involved in Kids Restore the Kepler will continue to work on the project until significant and positive change is brought to the Kepler area.

The Mayor of Southland, Frana Cardno, said that this is a very exciting project for Fiordland and New Zealand. “This is a chance for our young people to show their leadership and preserve our heritage for future generations”.

As Ruud Kleinpaste, Trustee of Kids Restore New Zealand said “Without a healthy biodiversity we have no hope for prolonged human life in Fiordland or on the planet. So we must restore our biodiversity before we do anything else!”

Kids Restore New Zealand

Kids restore NZ is a programme under the Air New Zealand Environment Trust which concentrates on helping young people develop leadership through involvement with environmental issues. 

Release written by Emma McLean (age 15) and Oliver Jackson (age 15).

 

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