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Rotokare Scenic Reserve

Rotokare Scenic Reserve is a stunning 230 hectare forested hill-country catchment, extensive wetlands and 17.8 hectare natural lake.  Mature tawa, rewarewa and mahoe dominated forest is home to tui, bellbird, keruru, grey warbler, and North Island robin, plus a variety of other bird species.  See Restoration Projects; Fauna list and Flora list for a more complete reference.  The lake edge habitat consists of raupo, flax, and pukatea/kahikatea swamp forest – home to notable fauna such as fernbird, spotless crake, also eels and banded kokopu in the streams and lake.

Situated just 12 kilometres from the township of Eltham, South Taranaki, Rotokare is a popular recreation spot for boating, walking and simply enjoying the beautiful scenery.Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust was formed in 2004 by a group of locals concerned that the habitat at Rotokare was in a state of decline.  Members of the public became involved as volunteers and sponsors of an intensive pest trapping programme – which to date has been highly successful in eradicating well over 4,000 pests’. Following recommendation from a feasibility study (Oecologico, 2005) the Trust began the challenging task of fundraising for a $1.9M predator-proof fence to circle the 8.4km reserve perimeter.  Due to overwhelming public and sponsor support (please note our sponsor/supporter list) Xcluder Fence Company began construction work on this specially designed fence in November of 2006.  Upon fence completion, an aerial and ground pest eradication operation will be undertaken to rid all present pest species, with the fence acting as a barrier to pests immigrating from surrounding farmland (the fence is designed to keep out all species from cats and possums’ to rats and baby mice).  The fence is currently the most sustainable method of controlling pests – volunteer burn-out or long-term use of toxins is a risk the Trust does not want to take.  A completely pest-free area will allow vegetation to recover without browsing pressure, existing fauna to breed successfully in an environment free from exotic predators, and provide a safe habitat for translocation of endangered species such as saddleback and kokako to Rotokare.

Vision

“Rotokare Scenic Reserve will be a flourishing indigenous ecosystem, highly valued by the community”

Mission

“We will achieve the highest level of restoration, protection and enhancement of the indigenous ecosystem at Rotokare Scenic Reserve”     

“We will actively involve the community and provide the best opportunities for education, recreation and inspiration within the bounds of environmental protection”

Volunteering at Rotokare

Volunteers are a crucial component of our project, without them we simply would not exist.  The opportunities for volunteers are varied, with something for everyone.   All volunteers are given a handbook, induction, health and safety information and any relevant training they may need.  There are also lots of opportunities for other development, we regularly hold workshops looking at up skilling etc (plant identification, bird song recognition, first aid training etc).  Our volunteer programme is also very social, we often have get togethers, BBQ's etc.

Timing of volunteering is flexible.  We have volunteers at the Reserve in some capacity most days, and the Sunday working bees are still a feature from 9am-12.30pm.  These end with a beautiful cooked lunch provided by another dedicated volunteer.

 Volunteer tasks include:

  • Fence checks
  • Pest monitoring (tracking tunnels, checking and re-baiting of traps)
  • Biodiversity monitoring (lizards, birds, invertebrates, vegetation etc)
  • Planting, weeding track maintenance
  • Administration Education programme
  • Teaching assistants

  • Eco-tourism guides

To be put on the volunteer mailing list (monthly volunteer bulletins),

contact Rotokare Trust 06 764 8500,

contact@rotokare.org.nz

For more information about our education programme, current projects and events, please see our website:

http://www.rotokare.org.nz/index.asp                                     

The top image is by Patricia Windsor.
The bottom image is by Simon Collins.


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