Wild for Taranaki Proposes Genuine Paradise in Our Region
Wild for Taranaki Proposes Genuine Paradise in Our Region
A regional Trust is proposing an ambitious programme that will see it working with tangata whenua and landowners to largely return Taranaki to its former pest-free glory.
And it’s not in it for the short-haul. Wild for Taranaki (WfT), formed last year by 19 groups and organisations that protect native plants, animals and eco-systems, aims to implement its “Restoring Taranaki” vision within 50 years, starting in 2017 with a pilot in the area surrounding the Waiwhakaiho River.
The Trust’s goals have now received impetus with the news that the Government plans to make New Zealand predator-free by 2050, says Chairperson Mike Weren.
“The Trust is excited about the Government’s announcement, which endorses Wild for Taranaki’s programme,” he says.
Its Waiwhakaiho pilot will start the way the Trust plans to continue. It will help people turn their land into “my little piece of paradise” with predator control, pest plant removal, native planting, and, where suitable, by fencing-off streams and creating QEII covenants.
Over time the project will look a bit like a mosaic of restored areas, he says, with the aim to get the community onboard and connect the pieces until the whole region is covered.
There are plenty of heavyweights in Wild for Taranaki. Its 31 current members include the Taranaki Regional Council, Department of Conservation, district councils, Massey University, Fish and Game NZ, Federated Farmers New Zealand, Queen Elizabeth II National Trust and many more.
Restoring Taranaki was one of four projects decided upon at WfT’s recent Trust Board workshop. The other three were the growth of the Community Biodiversity Fund, and development of ‘Wild about Wetlands’ and ‘Wild about the Coast’.
The latter will facilitate and support the increased protection and health of Taranaki’s wetlands and coastal ecosystems, while increasing the Community Biodiversity Fund will support the protection and enhancement of biodiversity by people in the region.
The Trust will seek the support of iwi and community leaders, and use their input to refine the projects’ parameters.
To join Wild for Taranaki or read more about it go towww.wildfortaranaki.nz. It also has a Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/Wild-for-Taranaki-1461754290796296/?fref=ts