Ashburton Courier: August 25, 2022

THURSDAY, 25AUGUST, 2022 |GERALDINE NEWS |PAGE 3
Threatened native birds and the broader native ecosystem are the winners in the upper Rangitātā trapping project. PHOTO: Jan Finlayson
DOC upper Rangitātā trapping project
removes over 15,500 pests
The Department of Conservations (DOC)upper
Rangitātāpredator trapping projecthas removed
more than 15,500 pestanimals sinceits 2015
inception. Threatened native birds and the
broadernative ecosystem are the winners.
With threerangers working arange of kill
traps full-time, the tally includes more than
1,200 feral cats, over 2,000mustelids (ferrets,
stoats, andweasels), and around 8,500 hedgehogs.
Feral cats, which have devastating impacts on
native species inSouth Island braided river
systems, are the primary targetofthe project,
brainchild of former ranger Dave Anderson.
Geraldine office biodiversity ranger and
project lead JasonVan Beer says, Monitoring
hasshownpredator control has improved chick
survival forwrybill and black-frontedterns in
the region.
With the national-scale Predator Free 2050
vision front and centre and covering around
40,000hectares between theHavelock-Clyde
confluence andthe Rangitātā Gorge, thetrapping
is powered by DOC and beefed-up Land
Information New Zealand (LINZ)resourcing,
as well as local buy-in. There are over 150
kilometres of trap lines.
Jason says, Itsameaningful project to be
apart of. All of us are passionate about it.
Were working with the Upper Rangitātā
Landcare Group; theyre land managers and
farmers up there.
The increase infunding from project
participant LINZ has allowed trapping
intensification. Formerly checked andrebaited
every two monthsoutside winter,the traps are
nowattendedtomonthlyand year-round. Its
afour-year deal with LINZ; were two years
in. We wouldntbeable to do it withoutthem.
They give us the coin, and we do thework.
It is notjust that the work is beingdone. In
accord with Predator Free 2050s long-range
view, participants also have their eyes on the
bigger picture of sustainable landscape-scale
predator control. Issues such as improving
pest attractants and collaboration across
catchments -and that Predator Free requires
everybodysinvolvement-areonJasons mind.
Were trialling different baits and lures
and other ways to target predatorsItsearly
days in relation to aproject of this scale. Its
along game. It needs to carry on. He says,
Itll take abig effort from everyone. We welcome
volunteers. Its for everyone so we canall enjoy
these places. Its what lifes about. Its agood
thing to be doing.
Keen to be involved in the upper Rangitātā
trapping project? Call the Department of
Conservations Geraldine officeon03693 1010.
JAN FINLAYSON
40 years service as Justice
of the Peace recognised
The South Canterbury Association of Justices
of the Peace (JPs) held achurch parade last
Sunday. Around 50 members attended the
10.30am serviceatStMarys in Geraldine. The
vicar, Rev Tony Kippax, remarked that it was
good to have afullchurch.
The congregation learned that JPs go back
to the time of Richard the Lionheart, who, in
1195, England appointed Keepersofthe Peace,
or Wardens of the Peace, to keep the peace in
unruly parts of the country. The term Justice
of the Peace dates from 1361 and the reign of
Edward III.
In New Zealand, Thomas Kendall was the
first JP, being appointed in 1814. Rev Kippax
noted thatThomas Kendallwas alsoamember
of the Church Missionary Society and aschool
teacher. Since his activities also involvedgun
running, he suggested that maybe he wasnt
avery good JP, minister or school teacher.
As well as attending for worship, Juliet
Crawford awarded certificates to both John
Acland and Don McFarlane, who have served
asJPs for 40 years. HUGH MCCAFFERTY
Juliet Crawford presents Don McFarlane (left)
and John Acland with certificates in
recognition of 40 years of service.
PHOTO: Hugh McCafferty