Project Janszoon Annual Report 2016
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Annual Report 2016 7/2011 10/2011 12/2011 2/2012 5/2012 5/2012 Proposal presented Project approved Project Janszoon Trust Project Janszoon Trust Ecological strategy Funds committed to Hutton Wilson in principle formed registered completed by to wilding conifer Nominees Ltd Wildlands programme CONTENTS CHAIR – DIRECTOR MESSAGE 2 SECURING THE ECOLOGICAL VALUES 7 ACCELERATING THE RESTORATION 13 FUTURE PROOFING 19 OUR PARTNERS 27 FINANCIALS 31 [email protected] www.janszoon.org 6/2012 8/2012 9/2012 1/2013 4/2013 11/2013 Heads of Agreement Weed survey First baseline bird Canaan/Wainui stoat Hadfield Clearing Wi‑Fi trial signed with DOC commenced survey completed network activated restoration plan commenced and prepared phone app launched Photos: Wetland survey at Marahau [Ruth Bollongino] Cover: Motueka High School students above Anchorage [Wendy Reeve] CHAIR – DIRECTOR MESSAGE With the project now into its fourth year it is encouraging to see the progress being A number of bird translocations were completed during the year. We are grateful for made on multiple fronts. the enthusiastic support from iwi of the donating and receiving rohe to enable these The control of weed species across the park, in conjunction with the Abel Tasman opportunities to enhance the fauna of the Park. A planned tuatara translocation to Birdsong Trust, continues. Effective control of wilding conifers has been achieved, Tonga Island did not proceed due to a mouse reinvasion during the 2014/15 beech other than a small area of Maritime Pine at Bark Bay. Many other weed infestations mast. Once the invaders have been removed we will look for an opportunity to are now in the sights of the weed teams and we are pleased with progress in the complete this important addition to the island’s ecology. discussions with neighbouring communities about control of invasive weeds deriving We are learning that there are no guarantees of success from translocations. Re- from their properties. The Firesmart programme, which aims to reduce fire risk in the establishing critical populations will require patience, persistence and attention to the Park by replacing flammable species such as gorse with less flammable native species learnings from similar operations around the country. is progressing well at several sites. We have continued to develop a key communication tool with the community, our The stoat trapping network is being further expanded and is providing significant smart phone app, with enhancements to both coverage and content. Visitor use has control of this key predator. Significant work went into preparation for another increased substantially and we have been able to offer a paid internet service to aerial control operation targeting rats, given early indications of beech flowering. property owners at Torrent Bay and Awaroa, with good uptake. The proceeds from However the seed set was patchy and the decision was taken not to proceed with this small revenue stream are being reinvested in the restoration work. this operation. Planning for a separate operation targeting possums in the northern The pilot schools engaged in our education programme have made good use of the area of the Park was well in hand at year end. Planning for intensive ground based rat Park and contributed to planting and weed control programmes as well as the general control in the Falls River area between Torrent and Bark Bays is also well in hand. The understanding of their “place” in the Park. NCEA credits awarded in a range of subjects network of A24 resetting traps managed by the Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust at Pitt have helped reinforce the value of learning conducted in this special environment. Head is delivering encouraging results with low rat numbers tracked. One of our strategic goals for Project Janszoon is to create an example that will be Project Janszoon combined with the Abel Tasman Foreshore Fund to complete wasp emulated and surpassed on other parts of the conservation estate. We are delighted control along the length of the Great Walk in February with excellent results. to acknowledge the launch of the Taranaki Mounga project which builds on the base While beech mast driven rat plagues remain a significant risk for biodiversity in the of work established in the Abel Tasman and brings new partners to the important Park we believe the combined suite of control measures now in place will substantially task of transforming the ecological prospects of some of our most iconic and improve the prospects for native species of all varieties to prosper. beautiful places. 12/2013 2/2014 2/2014 3/2014 4/2014 4/2014 1080 consent Awaroa to Anchorage First wasp control Tomorrow Accord Teachers retreat First planting at granted by TDC stoat network trial at Torrent Bay signed with begins “Adopt a Hadfield Clearing activated Minister Smith Section” 2 PROJECT JANSZOON ANNUAL REPORT 2016 At the close of another year it is a special pleasure to thank the many people who now participate as members of the Janszoon family. Our relationships with the Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust and DOC are cornerstones of this work, as are those with our pilot schools whose teachers and families strengthen the community connection to the project. A special thanks goes to the members of our Student Advisory Board who have been very active during the year. The concession operators continue to provide excellent support and encouragement. They play a vital role with transport of our team, students and the many visitors who come to learn from and contribute to the project. During the year we farewelled founding Trust Chairman Dr Geoff Harley. We particularly want to thank him for his wise counsel, tireless effort and boundless enthusiasm for the project from the time when the idea of Project Janszoon was first floated. Geoff has been replaced on the Board by David Flacks who joins existing trustees Chris Liddell, Barrie Brown, Dr Philip Simpson and ourselves. Finally to the project team a very special thanks for another highly successful year. We are proud of what you do and the progress being made by this outstanding project. Gillian Wratt Devon McLean Chair Director 5/2014 6/2014 8/2014 9/2014 10/2014 12/2014 Kākāriki released Won Supreme award and Completed aerial Saddleback released by Abel Initial strike of pine Wi‑Fi network and at Wainui Hut Philanthropy and Partnership 1080 operation Tasman Birdsong Trust on control completed virtual visitor centre Award at Green Ribbon Awards Motuareronui Adele Island extended across Park © Abel Tasman Canyons 2/2015 2/2015 3/2015 4/2015 6/2015 9/2015 Wasp control trial Student Advisory Second kākāriki Fourth kākāriki Permission granted to Rātā planting Board launched release aviary joins breeding release kākā programme begins programme Kākā [Ruth Bollongino] PROJECT JANSZOON’S WORK RECOGNISED INTERNATIONALLY Project Janszoon was delighted to have its environmental work recognised at the international Green World Environment Awards in October 2015. The UK awards recognise international environmental endeavour amongst countries, companies and communities. Project Janszoon competed against more than 500 other nominations from countries as diverse as the United Kingdom, Poland, Malaysia and Korea. Project Janszoon was named the worldwide Gold Winner in the Conservation, Habitat and Diversity section of the international awards. It also won the conservation section for New Zealand as part of the Green Apple Awards. Earlier in the year Project Janszoon also won both the Supreme Award and Philanthropy and Partnership category at New Zealand’s premier environmental awards, the Green Ribbon Awards. “The Janszoon Trust is at the forefront of private-public partnerships in conservation here and is making great strides working with DOC and the community to restore nature in our most popular national park. The award puts Janszoon and New Zealand on the world stage for our collaborative conservation work.”—Department of Conservation Director General Lou Sanson. “This award acknowledges the work of the Project Janszoon team and our partners, the Department of Conservation and the Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust.”— Project Janszoon Director Devon McLean. 10/2015 11/2015 2/2016 3/2016 4/2016 6/2016 Project Janszoon First kākā release Wasp control over Internet access Robin released onto MOU signed with wins international Coast Track, Pitt Head available in Awaroa Pitt Head by ATBT Brook Waimarama conservation award and Falls River and Torrent Bay Sanctuary PROJECT JANSZOON ANNUAL REPORT 2016 5 Pied oystercatcher [New Zealand Birds Online] SECURE Project Janszoon is securing the existing ecological values of the Park by establishing control of the key factors contributing to ecological decline. 46 km 200 km 340 5,172 65 of Coast Track, walked by rangers stoats and weasels rats trapped weed species 17 campsites and 846 ha every month to check trapped identified for control undergo wasp control stoat traps All figures based on financial year Dune planting at Anchorage [Dave Buckton/One Shot] PROJECT JANSZOON ANNUAL REPORT 2016 7 MORE WASPS TARGETED Wasp control was extended in the Abel Tasman this year WHAT IS THE ABEL TASMAN FORESHORE following the success of last year’s programme. SCENIC RESERVE FUND? Wasps were targeted along 46 km of the Abel Tasman Coast Track, around The Abel Tasman Foreshore Scenic Reserve Fund is administered by a 17 campsites and four huts, and over 110 ha at Pitt Head and 736 ha in the Falls committee, including the CEO of Tasman District Council and the Department River Block. of Conservation’s Northern South Island Region Operations Director. Commercial operators in the Park who access the Foreshore Reserve pay The programme uses Vespex®, a protein bait which is not attractive to bees. concession fees. Vespex® was trialled in the Park over the last two years and was able to reduce wasp numbers by 95% each season.