Aoraki Polytechnic group in conservation project

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Tree pullers: Members of Aoraki Polytechnic’s Third Age Adventures Group and Oamaru’s Wednesday Walkers Group earned special praise from Twizel Department of Conservation staff into the bargain – by removing more than 16,000 troublesome wilding pines from an infested area near Omarama.

Combining walking, breathtaking scenery, mountain air, camaraderie and environmental protection, Aoraki Polytechnic’s Third Age Adventures Group recently embraced Conservation Week – and earned special praise from Twizel Department of Conservation staff into the bargain – by removing more than 16,000 troublesome wilding pines from an infested area near Omarama.

The Third Age Adventures Group is a polytechnic-supported organisation of South Canterbury mature citizens who stay fit and active by embarking on walks and projects that often lead them to scenic and remote areas from one end of the South Island to the other, often staying in DOC huts.

Third Age member John Steven of Timaru said the group was keen to support DOC and had undertaken walks as far away as the Humpridge area near Tuatapere in Southland and the Nelson National Park.

But it was conservation volunteer activities such as the wilding pines removal project at Wairepo Kettleholes near Omarama on September 16, which saw more than 16,000 wilding trees destroyed, that offered some of the most satisfying ways of helping the environment, he said. Several wilding pines projects are held each year.

“This particular project, which combined with a team of 21 Wednesday Walkers from Oamaru and Twizel DOC staff, was a way for us to really get involved in Conservation Week,” Mr Steven said.

He said both groups regularly enjoyed the outdoors through walking, tramping and biking and valued the opportunity to support conservation work.

“What can be better than alpine views and that fresh air?”

Wilding pines are a self-sown species of the pinus contorta and choke tracts of land. They are prolific in the Mackenzie Country. DOC has an eradication plan that sometimes uses helicopters and chainsaws but the walk groups were effective in dealing with the smaller seedlings and shrubs.

“What we couldn’t get by just pulling from the ground and lopping with secateurs we left for the chainsaw gangs later,” he said.

“It was pretty hard work in places. We were down on our hands and knees at times, just like weeding the garden.”

Third Age Adventures Group leader Jan Kirkpatrick, a member of Aoraki Polytechnic staff, said the group was active in conservation in a variety of ways.

“Third Age members joined the polytechnic’s Diploma in Outdoor Instruction and Management students at Lake Heron on Wednesday September 23 and planted around 700 trees with the help of Geraldine DOC staff and Ashburton Forest and Bird members.

“The weather looked like it was going to pour but held out with interludes of sunshine while the team planted a mixture of coprosma’s, kowhai and carex plants near the lake shore,” she said.

“The day ended with a BBQ thanks to DOC staff.”

ENDS

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