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The Mohunga Restoration
Group-
Fact Sheet -
Update
- Contacts
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Objectives
1. To preserve the native flora and fauna on Mohunga Peninsular. These
include pockets of bush and populations of reptiles, fish, birds and
invertebrates
2. To enhance the various habitats to enable these populations to
increase and to allow introduction of species that have been decimated.
3. To encourage similar projects on other areas of Aotea
The Mohunga Restoration Project is an initiative designed
to enhance the biodiversity of the peninsula that forms the northern
shore of Port FitzRoy Harbour and the southern coastline of Katherine
Bay. The project is an extension of the efforts already undertaken by
residents and landholders that has included reforestation and predator
and pest control.
Grants from the Biodiversity Condition and Advice
Funds will allow the project to develop further, implementing more
comprehensive rat, pig and cat control over a large part of the
peninsula. Funds will also allow feasibility studies to determine the
appropriateness of either a predator proof fence or an intensive ‘buffer
zone’ to enable complete eradication of the threats to the surviving
flora and fauna.
It is planned that the Mohunga Peninsula will become
an area that supports a range of animal and plant species not
experienced since pre-settlement times.
The
Mohunga Project has made some steps toward eliminating predators from
the peninsular.
The publication of ‘The Ecological Restoration of
Mohunga Peninsular’ by Wildland Consultants that describes the
biodiversity of the area and outlines possible directions toward our
goals is an important document upon which wise decisions can be based.
It recognises that there are many threatened flora and fauna that would
benefit from the total exclusion of predators. The report recommends the
most effective way to accomplish this is by means of a predator-proof
fence.
A grid of tracking tunnels and bird count sites has
been set up covering the range of habitats. This will furnish us with
data to help determine the effectiveness of predator control.
Re-opening the old bridle track along the spine of
the peninsular has enabled better access to all ridges and spurs. This
is a beautiful walk with panoramic vistas of Aotea and the Gulf.
As with any other projects like this, much of the
hard grind is carried out by dedicated volunteers. Many hours and much
sweat have all ready been spent.
The project now has a ‘vehicle’ to move forward with
in the form of an incorporated society, The Mohunga Restoration Group
Inc. This, with charitable status, will make the soliciting of funds
easier, we hope.
Chairperson- Colin Griffiths,
Okiwi,
Ph 09 4290 139
Email Colin@okiwischool.co.nz
Secretary- Brian Reed
Ph 09 437 3554
Email: mohungaaotea@yahoo.co.nz
Envirokiwi Ltd- Joanne O’Reilly, Okiwi
Ph 09 4290 809,
Email envirokiwi@xtra.co.nz
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