Committed volunteers in action! Thanks to Phil Murray from the Central Otago Wilding Conifer Control Group for sending us some great photos of the volunteer crew ready to start work on drilling and filling several hundred trees, some quite large, on a QEII covenant site above Conroy’s Rd earlier this month. Working closely with local land owners, who assisted with provided access to their land and contributing to chemical cost. The volunteer crew worked hard to tackle a large number of medium to large wilding conifers.
The Otago Community Trust was pleased to provide the Central Otago Wilding Conifer Control Group with a $10,000 donation in December 2015 to assist with year 1 of a 5 year control plan. This included purchasing equipment including loppers, power drills and chemical applicators required to run volunteer days clearing wilding conifers.
Wilding conifers can have significant adverse effects on landscape values, especially on landscapes characterised by indigenous tussock grasslands and other low stature vegetation. Central Otago has a distinctive landscape much of which is characterised by tussock and shrub lands. The unique landscape is a major factor in attracting tourists to the district. It is the uncontrolled nature of wilding conifer spread and its potential to transform non-treed landscapes which have unique and defining qualities for Central Otago that is at the core of community concerns.
Left uncontrolled, wilding conifers will spread at an increasing rate throughout 50% of Central Otago which is susceptible to wilding invasion.
“Great gear, thanks Otago Community Trust, we found drilling and filling a very practical and cost effective method of dealing to medium to large trees”. Phil Murray Project Manager of the Control Group
