Southland Conservation Awards 2008
This year’s conservation award recipients and award sponsors were:
Warrick McCallum
Heddon Bush School
Ulva Island Charitable Trust
Landcorp Farming Ltd
Ray Willett
The late Warrick McCallum
Real Journeys Individual Services to Conservation Award
Warrick McCallum was not afraid to try the direct approach to make things happen.
A founding member of the Longwoods Track Committee, later becoming the Te Araroa Southland Trust, Warrick is known for his determined nature and passion for community conservation projects.
The late Warrick McCallum
Warrick’s vision in the mid 1990s to highlight the area’s Chinese goldmining history by establishing a walking track in Longwood Forest, become a reality in March 2008 with the opening of the Long Hilly (Round Hill) Track.
The community and conservation work Warrick was involved with extended beyond the building of the Long Hilly Track. He was actively involved in the Te Hikoi Southern Journey – Riverton Museum, and the Aparima Pest Busters projects at More’s Reserve.
His combination of hard work and can-do attitude are an example to everyone that ordinary people can achieve great things.
Heddon Bush School
Richard Henry Award for Southland Schools, sponsored by Glowing Sky Clothing
When Heddon Bush School students noticed an unusual stand of trees while on their way home, they decided to investigate. Their inquiries uncovered a significant remnant stand of kahikatea trees on private land.
Heddon Bush School with their award
Since August 2007 the students have been working with the landowner to preserve and regenerate the area while learning more about the environment and how their actions can have long-term benefits.
As well as protection the school has been carrying out restorative planting, weed busting, bug hunting and seedling collection in the area. This ongoing project has become part of the school curriculum.
With the co-operation of landowners and support from the community the site is an ideal opportunity for a small community restoration project to go from strength to strength.
Ulva Island Charitable Trust
Community Conservation Award, sponsored by the CommunityTrust of Southland
The Ulva Island Charitable Trust is making Ulva Island, off Stewart Island/Rakiura, one of the noisiest and busiest in terms of native birds, animals and insects in New Zealand.
Preparing for Sirocco's arrival
Since its inception in 1999, the Trust has been instrumental in promoting and educating people about species and habitat conservation.
Its efforts have raised people’s awareness of the benefits of conservation on offshore island sanctuaries for species that cannot, or are struggling to survive on the mainland.
The Trust is made up of a group of dedicated Stewart Islanders who help fund ongoing projects as well as the overall running of the island as a sanctuary and attraction for nature lovers.
Highlights
- In 2006 and 2008 hosted Sirocco, one of only 90 kakapo left in the world, on Ulva Island for 10 weeks.
- Assisted the Department of Conservation with the relocation of a number of bird species and skinks.
- Helped the University of Otago’s long term research project by funding supporting infrastructure.
- Produced a self-guiding booklet to be used by visitors to the island.
- Financed the production of a DVD, Primeval Paradise, to promote the high natural values of Ulva Island
Landcorp Farming Ltd has committed itself to protecting waterways and wetlands within many of its Southland farming operations.
Corporate Conservation Award
This approach has resulted in Landcorp forging strong working relationships with the QEII National Trust, the Waiau Fisheries, the Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Trust and the Department of Conservation over the last decade.
This has resulted in the protection of a significant number of waterways and wetland areas from future development.
Recognising its corporate leadership role, but more importantly that it is part of a wider community for which water plays an increasingly important role, Landcorp Farming Ltd has undertaken an extensive riparian protection programme
The corridors and linkages that have resulted provide public access to new areas and improved access to existing conservation areas, such as the Takitimu Mountains.
Ray Willett
Conservation Champion Award, sponsored by New Zealand Aluminium Smelters
For more years than he would like to admit, Ray Willett has been a conservation
champion.
Conservation character Ray Willett
Ray’s commitment to conservation extends beyond personal action. His encouragement and enthusiasm for others to get involved in conservation is inspirational. The best thing Ray does for conservation is advocacy. If you are within ear-shot of Ray he will tell you how great Fiordland National Park is. If you agree, he will tell you to go back and experience it another way.
Ray is a true conservation character, a genuine hard case, with a heart-felt passion for Fiordland and the natural environment.
Everywhere Ray goes he raves about conservation and the people making it happen.
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