UPDATE – THE TRAPS ARE NOW INSTALLED. CAN YOU HELP US REPLENISH THE LURES AND GAS CYLINDERS EVERY 6 MONTHS?

A large grant to GCT from Transpower’s Community Care Fund has given a major boost to community pest control efforts in Oruamo/Hellyers Creek. The 140 hectares of beautiful native forest which is half private and half public has been labelled a high priority area in the North West Wild Life Link Prioritisation report. The fund provided 200 Goodnature self-resetting traps powered by a gas cannister. Great for the steep difficult terrain!  Richard Chambers was engaged though a Lotteries Environmental grant to manage the project.

Upper Harbour Local Board, Kaipatiki Local Board and the North West Mana Whenua Engagement Forum have given their blessings to this project.

The reserves have historically had very little pest control but community groups are now trapping rats and possums in two of the reserves. The gas traps are supplementing this work.

The project relies on community volunteers so Richard is taking time to meet those who are keen to ‘walk the line’. Contact him on r.chambers@orcon.net.nz

The existing Neighbourhood Support network dovetails well with this community environmental work. The same street groups which help residents create a secure and friendly place to live also provide a good network to set up community pest control.

Greenhithe Community Trust is currently seeking grants to engage Richard’s pest control expertise in other parts of Greenhithe for 2019. The community is on the brink of its first ever coordinated pest control effort.

Greenhithe Community Trust is very grateful to Transpower for this generous environmental grant. And to the NZ Lottery Board.