Our Achievements
& 5 Year Action Plan
Our Achievements in Numbers
Starting Point: 2010
-
Number of lines and bait stations Created and maintained for Rats and Possums: 400 BAIT STATIONS, Monitored and replenished every 4 to 6 weeks in summer, and every 6 to 8 weeks in winter.
-
Mores Reserve Stoat Traps: 30 in Stage 1.
-
Area Covered in KM2: More’s Reserve is 8.74 KM2, areas of current expansion cover close to 1KM2
-
Environment Southland monitors the presence of rats with the deployment of tunnels recording Rat footprints:
-
Depending on the seasons, recent results have varied between 0% and 15% of rat presence in various parts of Mores Reserve, a great result in both cases
-
Awards: Aparima Pest Busters won the 2022 Environmental Action in Biodiversity and Biosecurity Award, at the annual Environment Southland Award Ceremony.
Our Top Priorities for the Next 5 Years
1
Maintaining Mores Reserve
This pertains to the continuation and ongoing improvement of current activity in Mores reserve.
2
Pest Management in Mores Reserve C Block
C Block is the Southeastern Area of Mores Reserve, where our current activities must expand.
3
Manage Other Pests in Mores Reserve
-
Mustelids, with a total of 100 traps. Stage one in Moores Reserve already completed – 80 traps installed in November 2023.
-
Deer
-
Hedgehogs
Pest Management in Other Areas
There are other areas within the operating area where pest management could be appropriate. These are on a mix of private land, land administered or owned by the Southland District Council and the Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka.
-
Alexander Reserve
-
Proposed Marne Street Reserve
-
Riverton Transfer Station
-
Howell’s Point SDC Area
4
Management methods to be used are:
-
Possums: Trapinator traps
-
Rats: T-Rex traps in tunnels
-
Mustelids: 1 x Double set DOC 200 trap tunnel.
Bait stations and stoat traps in Mores Reserve are monitored by volunteers on a regular basis.
In areas like Howell’s Point and Alexander Reserve, residents from the proximity or trust volunteers are also maintain rats, possum and stoat traps, with a higher frequency of monitoring: every 2 to 3 weeks.
5
Backyard Trapping
For the town areas, property owners are purchasing T-Rex rat traps in tunnels for $20 and maintaining them in their own residential zone.
6
Managing Cats in Mores Reserve
This is a longer-term objective that requires further research and full transparency with community input so a consensus can be reached.
7
Manage Native Fauna and Weeds
A long-term objective as well: “To identify areas within the Riverton Community for the maintenance, improvement or establishment of native fauna and to work with the community to identify and remove noxious weeds from within private gardens and private land and replace with suitable native alternatives.”Although they don’t have the same profile as animal pests, weeds can have a significant impact on native flora and fauna. While some weeds and their impact are obvious, others can be more subtle, particularly in the home garden environment.
8
Protect Native Birds During Breeding Season
Despite efforts to remove pests such as rats and stoats, some native bird species are still vulnerable to predation during the breeding season. These birds could benefit from additional protection to allow them to nest without the risk of predation. This could be achieved through measures such as:
-
Providing nesting boxes,
-
Fencing off nesting areas,
-
Erecting signs to educate the public – particularly the impact of dogs on ground nesting birds.
While further research and advice is needed in this area the Trust is aware of the following species that could benefit.
9
Develop a Communications Strategy
The success of the Trust in achieving the objectives set put in this plan will to a large degree be determined by how effectively the Trust can communicate with the community and other participants.
10
Monitoring, Records and Reporting
All trap and bait stations will be entered in TrapNZ when established to record catches and maintenance. Reports on trap performance and activity can be generated from TrapNZ.