Itinerary | Trip Details | Achievements | Bookmark and Share

In 2007 ISV groups significantly contributed to many important conservation efforts across New Zealand. They worked with 8 different Host Organizations and made a difference in 12 different locations around the country, including the North and South Islands. Each project was unique in its own way but the common goal remained the same; that is, to restore habitat and build environmental and community awareness.

Together ISV battled invasive exotic plants and helped eradicate hungry animal pests that threaten native animals. ISV also assisted with the creation of walking tracks so that everyone can experience and enjoy New Zealand's beautiful natural landscape. All agencies involved this past year have been very satisfied with and grateful for the goals ISV have helped to achieve. A big thank you to all of ISV's past volunteers who have helped ISV's conservation efforts in New Zealand.

Tasks achieved by ISV groups at each project in New Zealand last year include:

Conservation Volunteers New Zealand

Group 1 - 100 trees planted, 1440m of walking track repaired. Group 2 - planted trees over 400m2, constructed 60m of walking track, transplanted flax and other natives, laid gravel on new track. Group 3 - planted 800 trees, cut and tagged 700 bamboo stakes, tagged 300 trees, constructed 2050m of walking track, spent 78 hours monitoring endangered birds. Group 4 - removed 3500 pine seedlings, hand sowed 220 million manuka seeds, removed two slips, filled 2 culverts with rocks, built and laid rails on 5m of tramway. Group 5 - cleared 2000m2 of invasive weeds on shell banks and mudflats, located 4 endangered birds by radio transmitter, cleared 2km of track for bait lines.

Department of Conservation, Te Kuiti

Planted 900 trees, assisted with cave clean out, restored and painted a display at local museum, cut 1000 wilding pines from 2.5 hectares, assisted with maintenance on 2 back country huts, completed 4 days of weed control, cut drainage channels along 1km of mountain bike track, collected kanuka seed, cleared 233 trap covers.

Department of Conservation, Westport

Removed ice plant, a pest plant occurring in coastal zones, carried out cave restoration work (cleaning cave surfaces), released native plants from surrounding growth, involved in historical restoration work at Denniston, assisted with a beach clean.

Kaikoura District Council

Hastened the site preparation and planting of the Trees for Travelers program — which has contributed significantly to the development of this valuable program, and through ISV groups we have initiated increased dialogue and cooperation with other agencies involved in conservation throughout the District (i.e. DOC and Environment Canterbury).

Kuaka New Zealand

Maintained and restored approximately 2.5kms of bush tracks, planted approximately 17500 native plants, released approximately 3.5 hectares of plantings from previous ISV groups, potted on approximately 12000 seedlings, removed invasive weeds from approximately 4km of coastal dunes, constructed new access to an Iwi water supply, completed painting interior of the local Marae wharekai, monitored estuarine environment for 8 days, taught school children about the environment, interacted with adult students from Avalon (centre for intellectually handicapped students), monitored bait stations, surveyed birds, assisted with fence inspections.

Leigh Marine Laboratory

Trees planted in 2006 were released, dead trees identified and replaced, 1675 new trees and shelter species planted in 2 hectares of new ground, several wind break shelters were built and deployed for the more delicate species, new planting sites were prepared for local schools project.

Motuihe Island

Planted over 10,000 trees, built tool shed & work room, removed 1km fencing and redundant cattle yards, potted over 500 seedlings, reorganized nursery for the new season, participated in weed control.

Tongariro Natural History Society

Improved by clearing bait station lines, planted native species, cleared vegetation from historic viaduct.