Forest Restoration
Kaiwharawhara Stream Revegetation Project
The purpose of this project has been to restore the unique ecosystem of the Kaiwharawhara Stream (the main stream flowing through Otari-Wilton's Bush) by:
- improving the biodiversity of the valley floor
- encouraging native birds and insects to once again flourish in this area
- preventing further erosion of the streamside
- improving the water quality of the stream
- preventing the downstream spread of pest plants
- extending the area for recreation and enjoyment, by improving the valley's scenic values
- providing a teaching/learning experience for all those associated with the project to develop a greater understanding of the environment of the valley and its ecology.
This project is the largest undertaken by the Otari-Wilton's Bush Trust so far. It has been a collaborative effort, sponsored by the Trust and supported by the Greater Wellington Regional Council(external link) under their Key Native Ecosystem and their Community Environmental Care Programme funding schemes. In addition, funding has been awarded by the Wellington City Council's Environmental Grant(external link) scheme. The grant scheme enabled the Trust to purchase essential services from the Kennett Bros.(external link) who co-ordinate volunteers and make work parties a learning experience, whether planting native trees or providing plant care and monitoring tree growth.
Planting started in 2001, and by 2006 over 35,000 native trees had been grown from locally sourced seed and planted down in the valley.
The area planted lies up valley from the Troup Picnic Area and extends for 1 kilometre alongside the Kaiwharawhara Stream.
But even before planting, much work was done to clear the sites of a thick entanglement of weeds. Volunteers pitched in, and what had seemed a daunting task quickly became a great success. The Trust is most grateful to those individuals and groups who have contributed their enthusiasm and energies.
Site 17 was planted on Arbor Day, June 2002. This photo, by Jonathan Kennett, was taken a few months after planting.
One year later, site 17 was looking good and monitoring continued. Photo by Jonathan Kennett.
When Global Volunteer Network (GVN) volunteers monitored site 17 in September 2004, most trees were over head height.
By 2006, the average height of trees on site 17 was more than 3 metres. Photo by Jonathan Kennett. You can click here to view more photos of progress on the revegetation project.
Conservation Award
In recognition of an outstanding contribution to conservation, in 2005, the Otari-Wilton's Bush Trust won a Conservation Award. This award was for the long-term commitment shown to the revegetation of Kaiwharawhara Stream. The award plaque is displayed at the Information Centre.
Fish Passage
Most native freshwater fish breed at sea and then travel up stream to claim suitable territory to dwell in for the majority of their adult lives. Impediments such as the culvert under Churchill Drive (shown below) have reduced the number of fish living in the stream of Otari-Wilton's Bush. In 2006, the Wellington City Council built a fish passage at this culvert to improve fish access to the upper reaches of Kaiwharawhara Stream.
This photo shows the completed fish passage at Blackbridge Road being inspected by Graham . It was taken by Jonathan Kennett in October 2006.
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