WILDING CONIFERS CONTROL WITHIN OUR NATIVE FLORA€¦ · KNOW YOUR ENEMY WILDING JOIN THE WAR...
Transcript of WILDING CONIFERS CONTROL WITHIN OUR NATIVE FLORA€¦ · KNOW YOUR ENEMY WILDING JOIN THE WAR...
ADOPT A PLOTThe Ben Lomond adoption program is a community based response to a critical ecological issue that is threatening the Ben Lomond (One Mile) Basin.
For nearly 100 years, wilding conifer trees have spread up the slopes of Ben Lomond replacing the native flora and creating a single dense forest. This encroachment destroys both tussock and beech forest and means the complex ecosystem of birds and insects they support is lost forever.
The invasion of the upper slopes is now well advanced and without immediate community action Queenstown will lose the iconic Otago landscapes and stunning mountain and lake views Ben Lomond provides.
WITHOUT ACTION WILDING CONIFERS WILL BE OUT OF CONTROL WITHIN A FEW YEARS KILLING OUR NATIVE FLORA AND FAUNA.JOIN THE WAR.
No sunlight can penetrate the forest
creating a
‘TREE DESERT’ void of life
HABITAT DESTROYED for many birds,
lizards and insects
Unique environment with wide
range of FLORA AND FAUNA
Alpine tussock lands and mature mountain
beech forest
Wilding conifers will fully invade Ben Lomond Basin
in 10 years, becoming uncontrollable in the next
FEW YEARS
NO VIEWS
Stunning views
LOSS of water downstream
ACIDIFICATION of soil and water
RISK OF WILD FIRE
100% loss of alpine flora and fauna
Ben Lomond basin is home
to native birds of both tussock and forest including
KEA AND KAREAREA (FALCON)
CLEAR IT OR LOSE ITFor the past 5 years, a small group of volunteers have worked to contain the spread of wilding conifers into the upper basin. However, the mature conifer forests represents a massive seed source and volunteer efforts have only served to delay the invasion.
Spraying of this area is not a wise option as the fragile flora and fauna would be badly impacted.
Now we need your help, Adopt A Plot represents a new approach to the problem. Rather than a few volunteers looking after a large area, the program seeks to engage with many people who can provide intensive control of smaller areas.
Under this scheme, community groups, businesses, schools, and family groups will adopt a specific area of the basin. Each group will be responsible for hand clearing their plot of seedlings and then maintaining the area to prevent regrowth. The WCG will help interested parties select a suitable plot and then provide ongoing support including training, advice and loan of tools and equipment.
2-3 WORKING DAYS PER YEAR OR WHAT SUITS YOU
SOCIAL GET TOGETHER
HIKE AND EXPLORE
BECOME A PARTNER ORGANISATION
KNOW YOUR ENEMY
JOIN THE WARWILDING CONIFERSaffect approximately
1.7 MILLIONhectares of New Zealand and are spreading around
5% ANNUALLYimpacting tens of thousands of hectares every year; They can cause the loss of native ecosystems and
SPECIES EXTINCTION, impact our iconic tourist landscapes, reduce water yields and increase the risk of
WILD FIRES.GET IN TOUCH FOR AN
ADOPTION PACK
EMAIL US AT: [email protected]
WWW.ADOPTAPLOT.CO.NZ