Wilderness Lodges Eco-tourism Initiatives

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One of the most special and unique ecosystems in the Southern Alps are braided rivers. These vast expanses of open gravel and shallow channels carry water east from the main divide. They provide special habitat for mountain wildlife and low growing drought resistant plants. Birds migrate annually from Australia and the north of New Zealand to breed here. In the open gravels they can spot predators at a distance and find abundant food. Caring for Braided Rivers Braided rivers and their wildlife are under threat. Nitrogen fixing introduced weeds like Scotch Broom, European Gorse and Russell Lupins thrive in the open gravels. They shade out native plants, choke bird habitat and prevent channels from naturally moving during floods. The braided Waimakariri River flowing from the Southern Alps Weeds also provide cover for introduced predators. Cats and other predators travel even further into weedy riverbeds because there are also more rabbits and hares for them to hunt. This all adds up to make life difficult for ground nesting birds. Braided rivers dissect the Wilderness Lodge farm. Our Waimakariri Valley Track follows the course of Bruce and Broad Streams and the main stem of the Waimakariri River. The open gravels of the Cass River form our eastern boundary. Our Braided River Protection Work Wrybill Plovers return each year to breed in the Waimakariri River We undertake Russell Lupin control in Bruce Stream, knapsack spraying to stop their spread across the gravels. Lupin seed remains viable for decades, so this is a long term project but already we see fewer germinating plants. Elsewhere we use strategic sheep grazing to slow lupin spread. Sheep will eat lupins and while not removing them entirely, early spring grazing helps keep riverbed areas in a less weedy state. We also provide logistical support to the braided river bird surveys conducted each year by the conservation group Braided River Aid (BRaid). Encouragingly, these surveys suggest that breeding bird numbers in the Waimakariri River have remained steady over past years. wildernesslodge.co.nz
A Presence in the Parks A Strong Local Voice for Nature We work closely with the Department of Conservation (DOC). Spending their days in the field, our guides are often first to notice anything amiss on surrounding public lands. This may be farm animals in conservation areas, dogs taken into kiwi habitat or people not respecting park rules. We know DOC rangers cannot be everywhere at once, so looking after these places needs to be our shared responsibility. Opposing Inappropriate Development Expanding Protected Public Lands While supporting positive conservation projects, we have also spoken out against threats to local landscapes and wildlife. In 2013 we submitted against an application to irrigate and intensify 550 hectares of nearby farmland within a sensitive lake zone. Widespread opposition saw the application declined, but then appealed in the Environment Court. Proceedings continue (2017). We have successfully advocated to expand protected areas. Wilderness Lodge founder, Gerry McSweeney, has been a member of the Nature Heritage Fund (NHF) since 1990. This contestable government fund has protected 1.3% of New Zealand’s through purchases and covenants. In the Upper Waimakariri, NHF purchases created the Korowai Torlesse Tussocklands Park and improved conservation and access in the Castle Hill limestone basin. Protecting the Legacy of Past Generations In 2017 we once again spoke out against a threat to public land. Across the Waimakariri River from the Wilderness Lodge farm lies Riversdale, a thousand hectares of short tussock grassland forming the eastern gateway to Arthur’s Pass National Park. In 1901 farsighted conservationists recognized the area’s value and set it aside as public reserve. A bureaucratic error however saw Riversdale mistakenly included in the pastoral lease of neighbouring Mt White Station. In 2017, for the first time in 100 years, this perpetual lease came up for sale. To the disappointment of many, the public lands of Riversdale were advertised as part of the sale. We brought this to the attention of local and national media and Gerry McSweeney featured on an evening television news feature story, demanding the area protected status be upheld. This led to a debate in the New Zealand Parliament where the Minister of Land Information announced an urgent investigation. wildernesslodge.co.nz
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Page 5 and 6: Protecting the Rainforest Penguin A
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Page 9: Establishing A Refuge For Wildlife
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Wilderness Lodges Eco-tourism Initiatives

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