Newsletter No. 6 - March 2010

www.soundsrestoration.org.nz

Finishing line in sight for pine control project

Continued wilding pine control is looking likely in Queen Charlotte Sound this spring, thanks to generous support from local donors.

If all funding applications are successful, the Trust’s vision of completing initial wilding pine control in inner Queen Charlotte Sound by 2011 will become a reality.

Most control this year will be centred around Lochmara and Ohahau Bays and Wedge Pt- Long Beach, meaning all high-priority areas of the Sound will be targeted as planned.

To date, the Marlborough District Council has committed $20,000 through its Annual Plan, DOC has pledged $12,000, and local landowners have donated or pledged $14,000 for control.

Further funds are being sought from local partners and national funding agencies,with the aim of increasing the total programme spend to $164,000 (GST excl).

Can you help us achieve our goal? Information about the programme, and a donation form, can be found on the Trust’s website at http://www.soundsrestoration.org.nz/how-can-you-help.html.

2008-09 programme complete

The Trust's 2009-10 wilding pine programme in Inner Queen Charlotte Sound is due to be completed in April, with a contractor felling trees that had been excluded from poisoning, such as around power lines.
The felling programme is being undertaken with generous support from Marlborough Lines Ltd.

The map shows where contractors worked in Queen Charlotte Sound this season, controlling wilding pines.

Some facts and figures of the 2009-10 programme are:

Finally, a big thank you to all those who helped make the programme such a success, including NZ Lottery Grants Board (Environment & Heritage Fund), Canterbury Community Trust, Biodiversity Condition Fund, NZ King Salmon, Department of Conservation, Marlborough District Council, Marlborough Lines Ltd, Nufarm NZ Ltd, and many landowners.

Where to from here?

The trust is about to enter its third year of operation. The first project has been the wilding pine programme and evidence of the success of this project is clearly seen throughout the inner Queen Charlotte Sound. As the first stage of this project draws to a close at the end of this year, it is time to consider project/s for the next three years.

We are planning a workshop in May to look at the Trust’s progress to date and where to from here. The options discussed so far include expanding the wilding pine project and/or take up other projects such as different pest and weed programmes, site restoration, or to initiate a biodiversity conservation project.

Whatever we do, it must fit our current vision which is “to facilitate the restoration of native ecosystems in the Marlborough Sounds, and to protect the area’s landscape values for the pleasure and inspiration of future generations.”

The Trust would value your input. If you believe there is a project that should be considered, and which will have community support and buy-in, please let us know. Either send us an email at info@soundsrestoration.org.nz or talk to any of our Trustees directly.