Weed invasion of our bush reserves
The North Shore Ecological Survey 2005 states that “weeds and animal pests are impacting on the indigenous biodiversity of the North Shore... including pine, wattle, tree privet ...
At least 2/3 of significant natural areas are impacted to a moderate to high degree by weeds.
Weeds and pests present the greatest of all threats to the indigenous biodiversity within this area”.
Forest and Bird is working with council and other parties to help reduce the impact of weeds and animal pests.
Cestrum nocturnum
Queen of the night (Richard Hursthouse)
Many of these weeds are not yet officially recognised as weeds by the regional pest management strategy and are still sold in garden stores. Cestrum nocturnum (Queen of the night) is one of these. The branch is coordinating a survey of wild Cestrum sites in Auckland using weedspotters, who relay information to the Auckland Regional Council biosecurity. This information is also on a google map showing the spread of this weed. By gathering this information we hope to ensure that this plant is banned from sale when the Auckland Regional Pest Management Strategy is next reviewed. For more information contact northshore.branch@forestandbird.org.nz
Clean water
North Shore has no wild rivers but plenty of streams. Very few of these streams is unaffected by stormwater. Most of the Shore’s stormwater is diverted directly into gullies causing massive accelerated erosion and siltation of streams and our beaches. In addition careless discharge of sewerage or detergent and other chemicals into the stormwater system can impact on stream health. We have an excellent system of volunteer monitoring through the Waicare program
Development
North Shore is one of New Zealand’s most rapidly growing areas. In-fill housing and subdivision has meant bush destruction and loss of wildlife habitat. The branch, mainly through the work of Jim Lewis over many years has had input into mitigating and moderating the effect of development. Subdivision brings with it an influx of cats with their impact on birds and exotic plants such as bangalow palms which are now spreading into bush reserves. One of the major battles of the past 10 years has been to try preserve the land bordering the Long Bay Regional Park and marine reserve. A lot of time has been spent on this issue by branch member Jim Lewis and the Long Bay Okura Great Park Society.
Loss of tree cover
Trees provide many benefits including landscape values, combatting climate change, providing us with oxygen and filtering water, apart from being the Habitat of our native wildlife. North Shore branch has made submissions to the Council to protect bush blocks as well as removing weed trees from tree protection.
