Project Rameka

Kids Bike Wise Ride

2010-02-08T21:01:00.000-08:00

KIDS AND CARERS MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE AT PROJECT RAMEKA.

WHEN? Sunday 14th Feb

WHERE? Meet at 10am at start of Rameka Creek gorge by the big totara tree, to sort transport up to Project Rameka. Those who are capable of biking up from there are encouraged to do so; otherwise, car-pooling will reduce the number of vehicles driving up. The road is narrow and parking at the Project Rameka entrance is limited.

WHAT? The ride will start on the Historic Rameka Track which begins just inside the main Project Rameka entrance and then connects to Great Expectations, the first main track being built at Project Rameka. The track is currently about 2.5km long and connects to the road again, about half-way down to the ford. Riders can then ride the track back the same way or ride/push bikes up the road back to the Project Rameka main entrance. Some people may wish to repeat the circuit. At the official opening of Great Expectations in November, one 6yr old boy did the circuit twice (with dad running along behind) and a 10yr old did it 4 times!

HOW? Mountain bikes with fatter tyres and some gears are the best option for riding. If you just want to come and walk the track to check it out first, that’s fine too.

WHO? The ride is probably more suitable to kids 10yrs and older, but younger kids have ridden it, as mentioned above. All kids must have an adult carer with them (e.g. a parent) who is responsible for safety and behaviour. Riders/walkers/runners use the track at their own risk. There are some quite steep drop-offs at the side of the track in places so care is needed. The track itself is suitable for most riders and has been well-used by many people over the summer. Time for more locals to enjoy it as well!

AND there will be a BBQ to follow, at approx 1pm, sponsored by Nikki Ryan from Harcourts Golden Bay.

For more info, contact THE QUIET REVOLUTION CYCLE SHOP

In Time for Christmas Fun

2009-12-22T16:44:00.001-08:00

Richard heaves another load of gravel to tidy up the muddy bits and ...

Jack rakes it out so that everyone can enjoy a dab-free ride!

People are getting ready for their Christmas trip away, and what trip is complete with mountain bike in tow!
We've been fielding a few questions about where the new track is and what's open for public consumption, so here's a bit of a low-down.
Great Expectations is open for all to use and enjoy - it's a two-way track, so if you're getting into the zone and swooping along down, just be prepared to drop the speed a little on the blind corners and give a yodel or two to announce your imminent arrival ... but you all know the drill, right?
It is a fantastic extension to the Rameka Track. You'll head out from the forest of the Rameka Track and follow the gravel road down a short distance before following the Project Rameka sign up a small rise to your left. Then its through the cattle stop and Bob's your uncle, you are on it!
If you enjoy it so much that you want to try it again, feel free!
If you get really hooked, pop in to The Quiet Revolution Cycle Shop in Takaka and talk to the goodly folk there about how you can help work off some festive food by joining a Project Rameka work party or contribute in other ways to the project.
What ever the case, enjoy - just make sure you leave it in good enough condition for others to enjoy, too.

Great Expectations Scrapbook

2009-12-13T19:58:00.000-08:00

Here's a wee bit of a visual overview of Great Expectations for those of you who haven't yet had the luck to try it out.
Guy Robertson runs his dad Mike through his paces along the track - at the age of five, we think that's not bad going. Way to go Guy ... way to go Mike!

Beth leads a bunch of wobbly walkers (Corina, Albie, Fil, Simon, Bronnie, Marie)

The Murray family starting out:

Ricky Ward - more than happy to have finished with opening speeches and to be getting on with the business of riding:

Comment on Nelson Mail article

2009-12-03T21:46:00.000-08:00

Comment on Nelson Mail article
By Jonathan Kennett

Earlier this week the Nelson Mail printed an article about Project Rameka that was titled “Tree planters slate farmers”. This was completely incorrect, and the journalist, Hayley Gale has since phoned up and apologised. We can only presume that the Editor or sub-editor of the Nelson Mail felt it would generate more sales to have a sensationalist, although incorrect heading, than a true one. Newspapers probably do this all the time.

To set the record straight, I’ve decided to expand on the contents of Hayley Gale’s article here, because those contents were essentially correct, even if the title wasn’t.

We did not slate farmers. Quite the opposite. We pointed out that the farmers around Project Rameka have been supportive. I would like to give a few solid examples.

Dave Edmondson: We bought the project land off Dave. He has been very good at removing stray stock from Project Rameka.

Robert and Myra Fulton: In 2008, Robert and Myra supported the project by buying native trees, and allowing us to dig Totara seedlings from their garden. They have never failed to be welcoming to us and Myra has spent a lot of time writing up the history of the Rameka Valley, which she dearly loves.

Ricky Page: When Gary has call to run stock up the Ramaka Road, he does it as fast as possible so that the cattle don’t stray off the road, and chomp our trees.

Fill and Albie Burgess: The list of help and the amount of friendship from these two farmers is great indeed. Planting trees, providing wholesome food at work parties, cheerful conversation and a welcome bed for the night during storms. Fill and Albie also have 50 ha of regenerating forest at the back of their farm.

You might understand now that Simon Johnson, Bronnie Wall and myself were far from impressed when we saw the title saying we slated farmers.

However, to perfectly clear, we did slate the advocacy organisation Federated Farmers and in particular its leader Don Nicholson. The following quotes will explain why.

Federated Farmers of New Zealand Submission
“Farmer opposition to government efforts on climate change policy has been consistent over the years.”
3.2.1. SUBMISSION TO FINANCE & EXPENDITURE SELECT COMMITTEE ON: CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE (MODERATED EMISSIONS TRADING) AMENDMENT BILL 13 October 2009

And another quote, this time from their website.

“Federated Farmers opposed the government's 2002 ratification of the Kyoto Protocol and remains opposed to it.

Federated Farmers opposes the inclusion of agriculture in the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme.”
Fedrated Farmers website http://www.fedfarm.org.nz/n40.html (uploaded Dec 2009)

It is clear that Federated Farmers – the organisation – has been opposed to any practical moves to tackle climate change by reducing emissions. Don Nicholson has said that it is not worth trying to reduce emissions because population growth makes this impossible. This is completely counter to the advice coming from every reputable scientific organisation in the world. That advice is, that we reduce emissions urgently.

However, it is also clear that there are individual farmers who chose to make their own minds up. And many, whether it is for climate change reasons or not, are taking actions that are good for the environment they are leaving for their children and grandchildren. Good on them!

Expecting Great Things

2009-11-29T12:45:00.000-08:00

Sunday 22 November 2009
It was all go on Sunday 22 November 2009 as people amassed for the big opening of Great Expectations, the first track on Project Rameka.
Happenings commenced at 10 a.m. sharp with some track titivation. Many thanks to Ryan, Martin, Andy, Marie, Richard, (and around the corner out of view) Albie, Fil, Ricky, Corina, Patrick, Brent, James, Bronnie, Simon, and Jonathan.
A special mention must go to Seamus’ dog Harry, who kept a sharp eye on all proceedings and made sure the workers kept their noses to the grindstone. Thanks for sending in the delegation Seamus.

By noon, everyone was feeling peckish. Time for the barbeque! Rough Guide New Zealand author Paul Whitfield brought all his investigative skills to bear and managed to find the project in time to join in with the opening, despite being told by the information centre that he needed to go back to the top of Takaka Hill and travel along to Canaan Downs to find it – “I think”! Not to be deterred (he'd just driven past Canaan as he drove over the hill from Mot), Paul put his bloodhound nose to work and sniffed out the barbeque and the speeches. (Paul stayed on to help with more track tidying in the afternoon before trying out the primo flow of Great Expectations in both directions with Jonathan - Good on ya Paul.)

Thanks to Ricky Ward’s most excellent speech outlining the fundamentals of this brilliant track no more needs to be written about it in this blog – Ricky’s speech says it all, so here is that speech:
Ricky%20Ward%20Project%20Rameka%20speech%20Nov%2009.doc
And what Project Rameka event could be complete without ... chocolate cake!! Thanks Marie, you are the most brilliant star of a cook, we're sure everyone who got to sample the cake would agree.

Ricky and Corina Ward managed to keep four eyes covering all the action at the track opening:

And the track itself? Great Expecations is sweet as a lolly. It flows like a small child down a luge at the water park, or if you prefer, like a diamond ring down the bathroom sink hole - but who are we to say? Come along some time and try it out for yourselves.
Phil Castle and Patrick Ward give it a whirl on Great Expecations:

Date change for Project Rameka track opening.

2009-11-09T11:06:00.000-08:00

There has been a slight change of plans! The new track at Project Rameka, called Great Expectations, will now be opened on Sunday the 22nd of November.

A work party to polish off the track will begin at 10am, followed by a BBQ lunch at 1pm, and then the official opening at 2pm.

Come along and enjoy the celebrations.

Opening of first track at Project Rameka

2009-10-30T20:08:00.000-07:00

A new track, called Great Expectations, will be opened at Project Rameka on Saturday the 21st of November. It is approximately 2.5 km long and provides a single track alternative to the steepest part of the Rameka Road. Come along on Saturday and help polish this great new track into shape, then enjoy a well earned BBQ lunch. The afternoon will consist of taking photos and testing the track.

Great Expectations will be open to walkers, runners and bikers, and is suitable for riding up as well as down.

Please respect that this track is in a carbon sink. Park your car for the day, and enjoy recreating in Project Rameka under human-power.

After track building on Saturday morning, there will be a work party on Sunday to weed around the trees planted in August.

Everyone is welcome, and there are tools available. Hope to see you there - Jonathan and Bronnie.

Ricky Ward at the very bottom of Great Expectations, where it meets Rameka Creek Road. The photo was by Patrick Ward. They had both just finished a session of track building.

Critical Climate Change update

2009-10-08T19:37:00.000-07:00

Critical Climate Change update

Throughout this year Victoria University have been holding a series of href="http://www.victoria.ac.nz/climate-change/events/NZCCRI%20Seminar%20Series.aspx">seminars
on Climate Change. Last night they presented a homegrown world leader on the subject - Dr David Wratt from NIWA.

Dr Wratt is also a lead scientist for IPCC, so I was particularly interested to hear his presentation, as IPCC have been heavily criticised lately for being too conservative in their 2007 scenarios.

Here is his presentation in a nutshell,

1. Global warming since 1900 is absolutely certain. Sea level is rising and snow and ice cover is decreasing.
2. Greenhouse gases have increased from human activity.
3. In 2007, the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated that there is a 90% probability that human activity is causing the warming.
4. Since 2007, new science has confirmed that:
· Temperatures have been at the upper end of IPCC projections
· global emissions have been at the upper end of IPCC projections
· Antarctica is also warming
· melting of ice sheets is more likely
· ocean acidification from CO2 is more likely
· the emission released now, will cause changes that are irreversible

So where did IPCC go wrong?

Well, it’s not that they were wrong, but just that they really were too conservative.

Lets take sea level for example. Their 2007 projection was for only 18-59cm of sea level rise, BUT that was excluding any ice sheet melting. Now, only two years later, Dr Wratt says 80-100cm is likely, and that some papers are suggesting up to 2 metres.

Furthermore, he believes we are currently on track to get 2-4 degrees temperature rise this century, which will lead to 7 metres sea level rise.

He went on to list all the other major effects of climate change if emissions are not drastically reduced. It was a looooooonnng list of dangerous climatic changes, which, in a typically unemotive scientific egghead way he summarised by saying:

“These findings strengthen the reasons for concern.”

It was like listening to HAL, the computer in 2001 A Space Odyssey.

Thousands of species will become extinct, and people will die in the millions from starvation, drought, floods, etc….
“These findings strengthen the reasons for concern.”

Then he moved on to the targets that are being currently discussed by politicians, which reminded me of Kashi Leuchs and his 350 campaigning (see www.350.org/riders).

It was Dr Wratt’s view that atmospheric concentrations of 350-400 parts per million (that’s where we are now), will inevitably result in 2.0-2.4 degrees warming, and 0.4-1.4m sea level rise, by the year 2100. That would spell D.I.S.A.S.T.E.R. for most developing countries – indeed it will wipe some of our pacific neighbours off the map if we let it happen.

Unfortunately, because CO2 has such a long life, to avoid this disastrous scenario there would have to be emissions reductions in the range of 50-85% by 2050, followed by a downward trajectory to zero emissions.

Is this possible, I wondered? The current National Government has an ETS bill before parliament that only aims for 50% reductions by 2050, and does virtually nothing in the next 5 years to actually reach that target. In other words, they’ll do as little as possible, for as long as possible, so as not to harm the economy.

At this point someone from the audience jumped in and stated the obvious: “WE NEED TO START REDUCING NOW OR WE WON’T MEET OUR TARGETS”.

Dr Wratt, calmly agreed.

Someone else asked “WHAT ABOUT POPULATION?”

Dr Wratt, calmly pointed out that the targets were regardless of population and as the population grows emissions reductions becomes more challenging.

Someone else said “WHAT ABOUT TIPPING POINTS, SUCH AS METHANE FROM MELTING PERMAFROST!”

Dr Wratt calmly replied that such tipping points currently involved too many scientific uncertainties, so IPCC had not factored them into their scenarios.

I left the seminar firmly believing that we are currently committing the biggest humanitarian crime in history. Food, land, life and hope, is being robbed from future generations on a scale that no despot of the past ever achieved.

Action is needed on two levels – political and personal.

Our politicians will not aim for safe reductions in emissions unless we/you ask them to accept the best science available and aim for less than 2 degrees, or as Kashi Leuchs puts it, 350 ppm (check out www.350.org/riders), or as Lucy Lawless puts it 40% by 2020 (check out www.signon.org.nz/).

On a personal level, how can we become informed and have enough vision to see and feel the impacts that will affect those people and places we love? And, more critically (because the environment doesn't respond to what we feel, or think), how can we take action to reduce our personal emissions, starting now?

350 Planting at Rameka

2009-09-04T23:50:00.000-07:00

Last weekend saw a flurry of activity at Project Rameka as over 70 people headed up the hill to plant trees. Our aim was to join the global 350 movement (see 350.org) and plant 350 trees a day for three days in a row.

The plan went awry before the first tree was in the ground because of generous last-minute donations of trees. All of a sudden we had 1250 plants!

The first 350 went in on Friday morning with the help of 30 Motupipi Primary School kids, 10 teachers and parents, 10 teenagers from Golden Bay High School, and a few Wellingtonians. Wahoo! What a crazy whirlwind of activity. We were stunned by lunchtime.

Planters ready for 350 trees.

350 Trees going in the ground, with plant guards.

350 trees planted and ready to absorb Co2.

In the afternoon, Phil Castle turned up with a van-load of flaxes, and the Golden Bay High School troopers continued planting, so another 220 plants nestled their way into their new homes.

Patrick, Phil and Jonathan in action.

On Saturday, the planting procession was a little more orderly. 18 determined vollies managed to liberate 500 trees into the carbon sink. Thanks that day to Patrick, Corina, Fill, Albie, Chris, Jeff, Andrew, Simon, Karyn, Brent, James, Marie, Martin, Derry, Paul, Ginny, Bronnie and Jonathan. Matt was there too, roaming the Project for a few nights, shooting anything that might try to eat the lovely new seedlings.

Fill's famous hearty soup and homemade bread. No wonder we planted so many trees.

On Sunday, the forecast was terrible, but Andrew, Ginny, Patrick, Bronnie and Jonathan managed to home the remaining trees before the heavens opened. And what a storm it was! The following day we checked all the plants and fixed any wayward plant guards. Now it's all over to photosynthesis.

Rameka Track Updates

2009-07-16T13:11:00.000-07:00

Wednesday 15 July 2009

Martin Langley from the Quiet Revolution Cycle Shop in Takaka called today to report on progress at Rameka. On Sunday he had been up at Canaan Downs in foul weather, so they bailed out early and headed down the Rameka Track to Project Rameka, with Big Bruce taking their vehicle back to Takaka.

Down in the Project they found the first 1.8km of 'Great Expectations' in good condition. Then they came across Mr Baigent, accompanied by his two dogs on the track. And the Track! Along the 'Cliff' section it was now almost four feet wide!

Rolling on down, Martin passed a lot of his own recent handiwork, as the track now winds out of the pines and down into the scrub for 100 metres. Then it's time to carry your bike. But at least you can walk through now, and this is largely thanks to Ricky and Patrick Ward who have been hard at work, designing and clearing the route right through to the Rameka Creek Road (just a few hundred metres above the ford).

Good going everyone. We can't wait to get over there and check it out. For now though, big thanks to Martin for the up-date. We'll see you in the last week of August for tree planting :-)

Latest science on sea level rise

2009-07-12T13:57:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday I attended the Inaugural Lecture by Professor Tim Naish - Understanding Ice Sheets and Sea-levels

Project Rameka Trustee Simon Johnson suggested I put some lecture notes on this blog as Dr Nick Smith is currently travelling around the country consulting with the public on emissions targest for 2020. He will be in Nelson on Friday the 17th July. Paul Kennett has put further details on http://www.myonlinediary.com/

Professor Naish gave a fascinating lecture to a packed house. Here is a summary of the notes:

Background: In 2001 IPCC said the max expected sea level rise this century would be 0.88m. Then in 2007 IPCC decided to remove all scientific uncertainties and said it would be 0.18 min to max 0.59m (the range is because there are a range of emissions scenarios - note that earlier this year IPCC said global emissions were higher than their highest scenario had projected). This has resulted in a lot of scientific work to remove the uncertainties.

Prof Naish has specialised in sea level rise, and recently managed the Andril Program in Antarctica where four nations collaborated to get the best icecore samples ever (98% readable), and deeper than ever (1000m). The results correlated surprisingly well with scientific work done in other parts of the world.

In summary, 1.0 m sea level rise this century is now the mainstream expectation in the scientific community.
2m by 2100 is possible if there is 'Runaway Retreat" (ie, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet erodes rapidly) and some scientists believe that we are seeing the start of this now.

This rise will not be globally uniform.

If, as some expect, runaway retreat happens then parts of the northern hemisphere (ie Canada and the USA) will have 4m sea level rise by 2200.

He finished by saying that Copenhagen negotiations later this year were critical to determine future pathways. The last time we had 350-400 mil ppm co2 in the atmosphere the world was +3-4 degrees warmer (in 1900 we had 280-290 co2 ppm).

He pointed out that 60 million people now live within 1 m of sea level, and that that will grow to 130 million people this century.

In a nutshell, he didn't want to be scare mongering, but the less that is done, the faster and more severe will be the climate change.

Unfortunately, judging from Dr Nick Smith's address, our government will be using 2007 science at Copenhagen. This underestimates the impacts of climate change.

Professor Naish's final slide was of his two small children.

It's Official!

2009-06-15T02:31:00.000-07:00

Monday 15 June 2009

At long last Project Rameka Incorporated has had its registration accepted by the Charities Commission. This means that you can get a third of your donation to Project Rameka back from IRD.

You can make a donation at the same time as you renew your membership and we will send you a receipt to claim the rebate. You can also tag your donation to anything you'd like the project to focus on (ie, tracks or trees or pest control, etc).

Here's the membership form again: Membership%20form%202009.doc

Coming Up

2009-05-23T22:42:00.000-07:00

Monday 25 May 2009
For your diaries, tree planting is going to take place on the Project over the last weekend in August. So pencil Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August "Tree Planting Project Rameka" onto your calendars and make the pilgrimage up to the Project for a 10 am start.

Last year, we put 400 plants in the ground. This year, the aim is 1,000 plants. Lots of people have asked to be involved in the tree planting on the project, so we're confident 1,000 trees can be snuggly rooted into the ground by the end of August.

As an added bonus, the Global Volunteer Network (a tourist venture, offering overseas visitors the chance to give something back to New Zealand's environment with some serious conservation work) has pledged to come across to the Project every three months from November to get involved in the all essential weeding, watering, and pest control. These trees are going to be given the Rolls Royce treatment.

So, start sharpening your grubbers, booking your tickets, and limbering up for the end of August. See you there!

AGM

2009-05-23T22:31:00.000-07:00

Sunday 24 May 2009
The second Project Rameka Incorporated Society AGM took place on Wednesday 6 May in Golden Bay.

The Project welcomes in new committee members Patrick Ward and Brent Hartshorne and offers big thanks to Cory, Josh, Maria, and Derek for all their support and enthusiasm.

For a little light reading, try out the Chair's report:
Chair%20Report%202009.doc

And for anyone who has yet to renew your membership:
Membership%20form%202009.doc

On the Conservation Side of Things

2009-05-23T22:17:00.001-07:00

Monday 11 May 2009

A close inspection of the plant growth on the project over the last year shows some very promising results.

Matt Shoult is going great "guns" at keeping the pests under control, and it shows. All the northern rata provided by DoC last winter are thriving, and after an unintended and heartwrenching haircutting blitx by some roving sheep all the plants around the Lorax Lair are making a huge recovery. Maybe they like having a bit of a prune.

Not to be outdone by Matt's efforts, the last visit to the Lorax Lair by Jonathan and Bronnie saw 13 mice succumb to the dark side in one week. We're contemplating a stuffed animal-head collection for the trophy wall in the Lair. Alternatively, we've been pondering the possibility of stitching the skins together to make a really nice mat for the floor. Any thoughts or taxidermists out there?

Great Expectations!

2009-05-23T21:48:00.000-07:00

Sunday 10 May 2009
Things are moving along at the project. Over 200 metres of track have now been completed on the Great Expectations track, and another 200 metres have been marked out through thick scrub.

This track is going to be awesome. It will ultimately provide a truly mellow route from the top of the project down to the valley, weaving its way through a large section of the property and providing not only hours of fun for bikers and walkers but also fun for pest controllers too!

Rumor has it that some hardy souls have already plugged their way through to the bottom of the valley after riding to the end of Great Expectations and ... discovering a dead end. What! What to do? ... What to do? Lug the bikes back up or continue the downward plunge with great expectations. Well done to the intrepid explorers. Someone has to be the first, eh? Your exploits, if not your names, will be remembered with awe for a long time.

Heartfelt thanks go out to all who have taken part in Project Rameka efforts to date; all those in the photographs and those behind the scenes who have added so much to the developments. You know when we're meaning you!

At the work party on Sunday 10 May were: Martin and Marie Langley, Ricky and Patrick Ward, Megan and Ralphie, Seamus, Nicky, Josh and Danny Ryan, Brent and James, Fill and Albie Burgers (supplying amazing soup once again - your soup is becoming legendary, you two!!), John, Brian, Corigan, Beth and Phil, and Matt Shoult.

The Ryan family came out in force and whipped that track into shape with their own formidable style. You rock guys!

A hardy team comprising: Megan, Ralphie, Brian and Corigen took advice from Ricky to subdue a curly switchback.

New committee member Patrick Ward passed his initiation test of bashing through 100 metres of thick scrub with a smile on his dial.

A Conservation Vacation in March

2009-04-29T16:05:00.000-07:00

Early March 2009

The week's work began early with a track work party on the main track - Great Expectations - on Sunday. Well over 20 people from Wellington, Nelson and Golden Bay showed up and built 300 metres of beautiful flowing single track.

Big thanks to Seamus and Josh, Martin and Marie, Alistair, Cain and Dylan, Simon, Sarah and Miro, Jo, Andrew, Jake and Morag, Simon Johnson, Jonathan, Dean and Dylan, Murray and Ginny, Will Harris, Bruce, Steve and Julie Thompson, Melanie Millar, Ricky and Patrick and Theron Burgess. Some people helped out for a couple of hours, others hung in there all day.

After the work party several people rode the track and thought it was very sweet indeed.

During the rest of the week there were all sorts of things done. Murray and Ginny from Wellington stayed for a few days and weeded almost all the trees that were planted last year, and topped a pine tree that threatened to hit the Lorax Lair if it fell over.

Jonathan and Simon from Wellington, stayed all week and while Jonathan concentrated on building a couple of box seats/bunks in the hut, Simon dealt to a lot of barberry.

Jo and Andrew had been staying with their kids earlier in the month and finished building all the box tunnels for the traps. Since then 3 stoats and several rats have been caught. Here is some proof, if any more was needed, that rats like eating birds eggs.

Several other small tasks were completed by various people, and to be honest I can't remember all of them, but plant guards were constructed, more track designed, and the Project Rameka committee met and agreed to do a number of new things, that will no doubt feature on this blog in the near future.

Riding to Work

2009-04-29T15:47:00.000-07:00

Wed 18th 2009

It's one of his longer commutes to work. On Wednesday morning Jonathan caught the 3am ferry to Picton and cycled to the 5:30pm work party at Project Rameka. He was five minutes late, and according to Martin "Pretty useless" once he got there.

Jonathan rode via the Maungatapu Track (to avoid traffic), Mapua (to visit a friend for afternoon tea), and of course - the icing on the cake - the Rameka Track.

Conservation Vacation

2009-02-01T11:15:00.000-08:00

4 January 2009

Christmas is always a busy time in Golden Bay, and Project Rameka was no exception. Rather than laze around on the beach, several Wellingtonians based themselves at the Lorax Lair and worked away on tracks, traps and trees. They were joined by several local stalwarts on the 21st for a cracker BBQ and treasure hunt. It was a great opportunity for everyone to catch up and find out what has been happening.

The first obvious thing was that the verandah was finished. It rained a few times over Christmas and the extra shelter made a big difference. Thanks to Andy Cole for leading that project and doing such a creative job, and also thanks to Simon and Sarah for paying for the materials.

The second obvious thing, related to the rain, was that the trees are growing incredibly well and that means an estimated 100 tonnes of CO2 have been drawn out of the atmosphere by Project Rameka since it began in April 2008. It also meant there has been, was, and will be lots of weeding to do to stop the native seedlings being swamped. Thanks to those that have been pulling out the grass from around the small trees.

Also obvious was the damage done to both tracks and naturally regenerating seedlings under the pines by wild pigs. Luckily Rameka resident Reagan and local legend Matt have shot ten of them in the last fortnight! Well done guys.

Another pest which is not so obvious is the natural killer, Mr Stoat. With funds from Greg Thurlow and Andrew McLellan we now have 24 stoat traps, and Andrew spent some of his holidays building boxes and setting them up around the block.

Access for recreation and conservation is via the ever expanding track network. The good folks at the Quiet Revolution have been organising work parties on Wednesday nights and the main track has progressed well. Jonathan and Bronnie managed to mark and partially dig another 200 metres over Christmas and Ricky and Patrick from Takaka have, according to rumours, been doing some awesome work of late. Can't wait to see it! According to local mountain biker Seamus it rides fast and smooth.

Another good job was completed at the Lorax Lair. With funds from Kate and Jo, and spare parts from Martin, we were able to put up guttering and spouting to collect rain water into a 200 litre tank. That gives us a two water supplies, so we shouldn't run out now. Thanks to Martin, who has bought a lot of water up to the Lorax Lair over the last 8 months.

Also thanks to Anne-Marie, Jock Flemming and others who have donated money or time to the project. It really does run on the smell of an oily rag and so your contributions are very effective towards achieving enhanced conservation and recreation in the Rameka Valley.

Simon Johnson, a Rameka Trustee, has also been busy. He recently registered the Rameka Trust with the Emissions Unit Register (Ministry of Economic Development). This is the first step towards carbon trading, but as the new government has shelved the ETS things are a little up in the air. Hopefully our chosen representatives will get their heads around Climate Change soon and progress can be made, both at Rameka and around the country.

New Signs Point the Way to Christmas Celebrations

2008-12-11T20:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Martin and Ricky people shouldn't have any trouble finding Project Rameka now. The new sign looks great.

If you are around on the 21st of December, please pop up for an end of year celebration.

There will be a BBQ charring away from late afternoon, and a few Project Rameka members from Wellington are making the trip to join in.

To Be Done

2008-11-02T22:52:00.000-08:00

Saturday 1 November 2008
Due to popular demand, here is the "wish list" of Project Rameka's preferred Christmas prezzies for 2008.

Things we could do with:
1. An 8-pint billy for cooking over the fire
2. Guttering and spouting for the Lorax Lair (two lengths of guttering, 4 metres long)
3. A large water tank to collect rain water (400 to 1000 litres would be good)
4. A water filter of some sort
5. Jet prickers for the old Optimus 00 stove (last seen in the Bay in the 1980s)
6. Wooden stakes for plants (25 by 25mm up to 50 by 50mm)
7. Wire netting to use for plant protection
8. Larger water tank for the pipeline supply (200 to 1000 litres)

Funds towards:
1. Spraying weeds on side of Rameka Road (approx $300)
2. First Aid Kit ($150)
3. 18 Stoat Traps ($90)

If you can help with any of the above, please contact Project Rameka. You can email us at projectrameka [at] kennett.co.nz

Or you can write to:
Project Rameka Incorporated Society
Secretary, Marie Langley
Parapara Beach, RD2 Takaka
GOLDEN BAY

Donations can also be delivered to The Quiet Revolution Cycle Shop in Takaka.

Thanks for your support.

Warning! Dangerous Canivore Spotted on the Project

2008-11-02T22:39:00.000-08:00

Saturday 1 November 2008
It's official folks. This photo of a snail casually minding its own business on Project Rameka was sent through to DOC for id-ing. The identification came back as Powelliphanta hochstetteri, the native carniverous snail. This critter can grow to 65 to 70 mm in diametre - guess it's all in the protein snaffled from unsuspecting bikers. Legend has it that bikers disappear on the Rameka after falling down unobserved tomos. We now know this to be untrue. They have been eaten by snails!!

Be very, very careful on your bike rides and walks in the Rameka. This snail is only small because the project is so young.

Retro Snow Pics

2008-11-02T22:18:00.000-08:00

From July 2008
Here are a couple of photos taken by neighbour Dave Lewis of the 'Big Snow'. It was apparently one of the biggest dumps in living memory. This sort of storm leads some climate change denialists to say "Global Warming?! What Global Warming?!". Meanwhile, every credible scientific organisation on the planet continues issuing warnings about "Climate Change".

The Rameka Easy Track

2008-10-04T14:15:00.000-07:00

Saturday 20 September 2008

The tree planting was followed by an extended pot-luck BBQ, with the highlight once again being a huge pot of soup and homemade bread supplied by Fil and Albie. Yum. That's worth the trip up the hill on it's own!

Feeling fully fueled up, we spent the afternoon extending the easy Rameka Track. At this work party, we were branching off the historic Rameka Trail to sidle around the main spur on the Project property.

At first, the digging was easy, and within 2 hours, we had covered over 200 metres. Then, as the terrain became steeper, progress slowed. It's going to be a fantastic ride/walk once it's built, but there is still a lot of work to do before it can be officially open.
Thanks to Frankie, Karl, Bronnie, Jonathan, Seamus, Derrie, Rickie, Patrick, Martin, Marie, Blake and Sam for plugging the hard yards.

Tree Planting

2008-10-04T14:08:00.000-07:00

Saturday 20 September 2008

Forest restoration is the core business of Project Rameka, so it was great to have another good turn out for the Saturday morning tree planting session. There were two goals, first to plant 20 Northern Rata (supplied by Project Crimson) and then to start planting fast growing native trees beside Rameka Road.
Many hands make light work, and the tree planting was no exception. All thanks due to Fil and Albie, Derek, Frankie, Chris, Derrie, Jonathan, Bronnie, Patrick, and Ricky.