My Account
Forest & Bird’s Pest Free Hibiscus Coast Project recently celebrated their 150 volunteers with an end-of-year awards event.
The event, on November 12, began with a karakia by Hibiscus & Bays Local Board member Jake Law, before project manager Jenny Hanwell shared the highlights from the year, including the best ever results from rat and possum population monitoring, showing that volunteer efforts really are making a difference.
Professor Jim Dale then showed videos of birds of the Hibiscus Coast.
A total of 25 volunteer awards were given out, including the first Golden Trap Award given to long standing data management and trap testing volunteer Paul Wilkinson.
Derek Kelsey, Julian Fripp and Jim Bettridge were recognised for their all-round contribution across multiple elements of the project and Kelvin Hempseed received the long service award.
The Community Engagement All Rounder Award went to Debbie Thompson, for her efforts to spread the word about the project this year.
Liz Maire received the first Super Street award (a Metalbird tui) for her role as street trapping coordinator on Motuora Road in Manly, which she has been doing since 2020. She has displayed the tui on her fence. This is the start of a “super streets” initiative whereby when a street has a certain percentage of people trapping, and a coordinator, Pest Free Hibiscus Coast will award them a Metalbird. This will start properly in the New Year.
Pest Free Hibiscus Coast urgently needs more volunteers as their trapping network and community engagement programme continues to grow. Info: j.hanwell@forestandbird.org.nz
