This programme assists property owners to enhance wildlife habitat on their properties by providing expert advice, on-site visits and workshops.
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It is based on the enormously successful Land for Wildlife programme which has been rolled out across Australia, involving over 13,300 properties.
Forest & Bird is piloting the programme as part of the “Kaimai Connection” – a project to restore natural links from Tauranga Harbour in the Bay of Plenty to the Waihou River in the Waikato.
By protecting native habitat to connect the forest with the coast, birdlife, reptiles, freshwater fish and amphibians will spread into semi-rural and urban areas, allowing residents to enjoy native wildlife in their backyards.
If we can get enough support from the community we hope that forest species such as tomtit, kaka, bellbirds and fantails, as well as top predators such as the bush falcon, will disperse into the lowlands.
The Land for Wildlife programme will also help to improve the quality of Tauranga and Waihou water catchments and restore vital freshwater habitats such as wetlands.
Get Involved
If you own or manage land in the Kaimai Connection area we’re interested in hearing from you. All types of properties are eligible, including:
- Farms
- Orchards
- Lifestyle blocks
- School grounds
- Sport clubs and fields
- Business estates
- Public land e.g council reserves.
After the property is visited by Land for Wildlife staff, landowners will an on-site visit from a field officer and a property assessment report which includes a detailed conservation action plan. Land for Wildlife will provide continued support and encouragement, through newsletters and workshops.
Each landowners’ efforts will be recognised with either a “Working towards Land for Wildlife” or “Land for Wildlife” sign to display on their property.
Forest & Bird aims to have 60 properties on board by 2015, with a view to extending the programme to other areas of New Zealand.
A sister programme is also being launched for urban properties within the Kaimai Connection area. The Gardens for Wildlife programme encourages people in urban areas to create wildlife friendly gardens through specific gardening practises such as:
- Planting native species that are local to the area
- Providing food and habitat plants for birds, lizards and insects
- Controlling pests such as rats and mice
- Removing weeds that could spread into wild areas
Gardens for Wildlife aims to create a network of wildlife-friendly spaces throughout urban environments, both on public and privately owned land.
If you would like to know more about the Land for Wildlife or Gardens for Wildlife programmes, please contact Hamish Dean: h.dean@forestandbird.org.nz, (07) 543 1499 or 021 741 115
Or Central North Island Field Officer Al Fleming on a.fleming@forestandbird.org.nz (07) 544 4987 or 021 988 295
Land for Wildlife is proudly supported by Biofunds:
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