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Have you seen someone in a yellow hi-vis vest emerging from the bush at your local park? Chances are they are one of the incredible volunteer team working hard to protect the wildlife of the Hibiscus Coast from rats, stoats and possums.
Over the past year, around 200 people volunteered their time with Forest & Bird’s Pest Free Hibiscus Coast Project, with most of those heading out every week to service traps for predator control. Between them they contributed 8000 hours towards conservation efforts, and without the 39,000 trap/bait stations services they do each year, there would certainly be many thousands more rats causing problems not only for native wildlife but for our community as well.
“Its very rewarding knowing I’m giving back to the environment, plus it’s great exercise!” Ōrewa-based volunteer Brendan Taunt says.
Forest & Bird have been running this project for 11 years, working in partnership with Auckland Council and with support from Hibiscus and Bays Local Board to carry out predator control and monitoring on nearly 130 local parks. The project also involves volunteers surveying birds and lizards, and runs a backyard trapping programme, which teacher Debbie Thompson is involved with as a neighbourhood coordinator.
“I’m learning lots along the way and I love that other like-minded people volunteer too. Everyone is keen to help the environment and cares about our area,” Debbie says.
One of the project’s youngest volunteers, Melanie Wilcock, says that monitoring a trap/bait line usually only takes her an hour or less per week so is easy to fit into a busy schedule. “It’s awesome being part of a passionate group of likeminded people who are trying to make a difference,” she says.
Plus, if you are interested in conservation as a career, it’s a way to gain hands on experience!”
The volunteers have close relationships with many Forest & Bird staff, but in particular with Volunteer Coordinator Rhiannon Thomas who says volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds and all age groups.
“What connects them is that they have a common goal and are happy to work together to achieve that. They look out for each other, and we look out for them. They are the people who make everything work.”
The project organises regular social events so volunteers can get to know each other, and celebrates their efforts with an annual lunch and awards event, and a morning tea for National Volunteer Week. So next time you see one of these dedicated volunteers, give them a high five!
The project is currently looking for more volunteers. To find out more contact Rhiannon Thomas on r.thomas@forestandbird.org.nz
Story supplied by Hibiscus and Bays Forest & Bird project manager Jenny Hanwell
