Pohutukawa buds about to burst and looking as though frosted for Xmas. |
Dear Friends,
Continuing with our Summer Programme we have two field trips planned. The details are outlined below:
Field Trip 1
Sunday 21 January 2007 10.00 am at Peach Cove car park.
Dr Ray Pierce (ecologist) will lead a group of interested Friends to Peach Cove. A reasonable level of fitness is required.
Ray will talk about the ecology of the Bream Head Scenic Reserve and relate this to what presents itself on the walk to Peach Cove and back.
Field Trip 2
Sunday 4 February 2007 10.00 am at Urquhart Bay car park.
David Monro will lead a group of interested Friends around the Smugglers Cove track.
David will talk about biological concepts useful in understanding patterns in nature and relate this to what presents itself on the walk to Smugglers Cove.
What to bring (for either trip)
Lunch; Drinks; Solid footwear; Rainwear*; Binoculars; Camera; Swim wear.
* If because of weather or unforeseen circumstances we have to postpone or cancel
either field trip at the last moment please ring (09) 434 0040 for a recorded message.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE
XMAS MESSAGE
Hello everyone,
2006 has been a significant year for the Bream Head Conservation Trust in its goal of achieving the highest level of ecological restoration for the Bream Head Scenic Reserve.
We started off in January with the production a Social Effects Assessment document, timed to coincide with the Urquhart Bay Association AGM. The document was professionally designed to enable us to evaluate the likely impacts of the restoration process on the local community.
We were pleased with the positive responses, but surprised at the small number of returns originally received. I was part of the group which conducted a door to door survey of people living at Ocean Beach and Urquhart Bay, and all properties in between. I was very pleasantly uplifted by the generosity of spirit shown by these respondents and the statistical results reflected that. Of the 65 batch/residents at Urquhart Bay, we have surveyed 35 which represents 53% and we left the questionnaire at a further 27 residences, hoping they would reply separately. Of those who responded 97% considered the fence a good idea.
April saw our forth public consultation meeting at the McLeod Bay hall. Of the 32 in attendance, two members of the Urquhart Bay Association expressed their opposition to our proposal on the grounds of loss of visual amenity, potential increase in visitor numbers, and describing it as an “industrial development”. It would appear that we have a bit of work to do yet!
Over the next few months, David Monro produced a booklet ("A funding proposal for a predator proof fence at Bream Head Scenic Reserve") which is intended to provide clear details of our proposal to potential major sponsors.
June saw our annual planting days, and here I would like to extend a big thank you to all of you who came to help plant. It was the most successful planting days we have had, thanks to your effort.
August was the month for our very first hui, held at the Ocean Beach Surf Club rooms. Our thanks to the Surf Club for the use of their facilities.
A number of important issues for Maoridom coincided with the date we had set and attendance was less than expected. However, those kaumatua who did attended felt it a very worthwhile event and one that we should continue to do annually.
We have struck a hurdle, likely to slow our progress, as recently, one of the property owners who is a neighbour of the reserve, and had previously been supportive of the proposal, has withdrawn her support. We are not exactly sure why, but remain hopeful of a positive reconsideration.
Perhaps the key message that we would like people to understand is that the Bream Head Scenic Reserve deserves the best level of ecological protection that can be given. Conventional trapping and poisoning will never provide the level of ecological security of the proposed fence. We don’t specifically want a fence; we want the ecological security that such a fence provides; there is no current alternative, and according to the experts, nothing as effective in the foreseeable future.
So, thank you all for your support, which we continue to need. If it takes a while longer, then so be it.
Very best wishes for Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.
Geoff Pike.
Chairperson
Bream Head Restoration Committee.
Footnote:
I photographed this fledgling stitch bird (hihi) on Tiritiri Matangi, a predator free island which many of you will have visited.
Before we are able to reintroduce stitch birds to the Bream Head Scenic Reserve we need to build the predator-proof fence so that we can afford them the level of protection they need.
When we’ve done that we wont have to leave the mainland to see stitch birds.
I join with Geoff in wishing you a happy Xmas and a great 2007
David Monro
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