Habitat

 

#1 Rein in your Pet
Native animals aren’t catfood! De-sex your cat, put a bell on its collar and keep it indoors at night. This will reduce its ability to bring home native wildlife. Learn more at http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/files/file/responsiblecatownership.pdf
 
#2 Possum Busting!
If you live near native bush, do your bit to keep those menacing possum numbers down - install and operate a possum trap. Call Horizons for advice on where to get them and how to use traps effectively and safely.  Learn more at http://www.horizons.govt.nz/Images/Publications/PestPlantAnimal/When%20a%20possum%20comes%20to%20town.pdf
 
#3 Reduce Roadkill
Be on the lookout and drive carefully at dawn and dusk, and where trees grow near the road. Many native birds and animals get killed on the roadsides at these times.
 
#4 Habitat Haven
Create a wildlife habitat in your backyard, workplace or schoolyard. If you’ve a patch of wet ground don’t drain it, create a wetland. Plant natives in your backyard to help bring back the birds and insects. In your workplace or schoolyard, campaign to plant up areas, creating homes and flight corridors for native bird species. Learn more at http://www.gw.govt.nz/council-publications/pdfs/wetland_guide.pdf
 
#5 Join a Habitat Care Group
Join a community group and offer to do voluntary work. Participate in local clean-up, tree planting and weed control activities. Check out http://www.environmentnetwork.org.nz/ for ideas and contact details for local groups.
 
#6 Wage War on Weeds
Remove plant pests and plant native alternatives. Check out the book “Plant Me Instead”, available from the Department of Conservation and Horizons. Don’t dump weeds, prunings and grass clippings in the bush as this can introduce or spread weeds. Learn more at http://weedbusters.org.nz/
 
#7 Farms for the Future
If you’re a farmer or have friends who live on farms, encourage them to keep patches of bush or wetland as wildlife habitats, and to leave old trees standing - especially those with hollows suitable for nesting animals and bats. Farms cover a large part of our region and can provide havens for all sorts of wildlife. Call Horizons for restoration funding, assistance and advice or learn more at http://www.horizons.govt.nz/
 
#8 Look Over Your Fence
Replant, weed and clean up those strips of land that no-one looks after - next to a road, between houses, along a creek, behind a beach. You’ll help restore the natural ecosystem, and provide a haven for many native animals and plants.
 
#9 Favour the Fish
Be informed before you fish. Find out which species you can take home for dinner and which you should throw back in. Take only what you need and leave the undersized ones for another day. Be careful not to lose your nets, lines, hooks and sinkers in the water. To learn more, call your local Fish and Game office or visit http://www.fishandgame.org.nz/Site/FishingNZ/default.aspx


#10 Go Native
Plant natives – you will support native animals that are adapted to feeding from those plants or on insects that live on the plants. Bring your garden or farm alive with native birds! Learn more at http://www.mtbruce.org.nz/plant_fornative_birds.htm