Environment

Environment Southland has hired contractors to carry out rabbit control, by way of night shooting, between 15 and 29 August on Invercargill stop banks and retention dams. The control will take place on two nights in this period on rural sections of the Waihōpai, Kingswell, Clifden and Kennington sto

Environment Southland has discovered Didemnum vexillum, commonly known as carpet sea squirt, at two locations in the waters around Rakiura/Stewart Island, as well as a further discovery of the invasive seaweed Undaria pinnatifida (Undaria) at a new site. Carpet sea squirt is an exclusion pest under

The Department of Conservation will consult with the Rakiura/Stewart Island community on plans to deal with a rat incursion on predator-free Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara. An incursion response after a rat was detected in February, has failed to remove all rats, which have now spread to other parts of t

A pilot management programme undertaken by the Game Animal Council, in collaboration with the Department of Conservation, New Zealand Deerstalkers Association (NZDA) and local landowners has successfully removed 126 breeding hinds from the Lake Sumner Recreational Hunting Area (RHA). “We knew from a

The battle against ‘the gorse of the sea’ is off to a strong start after year one of the Jobs for Nature Fiordland Undaria Control Programme has come to a close. During the first year, divers removed 30,000kg of the invasive weed from more than 25km of coastline in Te Puaitaha/Breaksea Sound. The pr

Fonterra expands on-farm trials of methane reducing Asparagopsis seaweed, as part of the Fonterra’s commitment to helping solve the methane challenge. In partnership with Australian company Sea Forest, Fonterra is looking at the potential Asparagopsis seaweed has in reducing methane in a grass-fed f

At this week’s Strategy and Policy Committee, councillors approved the formation of a Climate Change Sub-committee to help drive Environment Southland’s action on climate change. The sub-committee, which will meet once every two months, will consist of six councillors as well as a mana whenua repres

Bannerman Park in Gore is set to become home to some of the rarest species of rhododendron in the world. Pukieti Rhododendron Trust collection and projects officer Andrew Brooker was in Gore today to oversee the arrival of 40 species of rare and endangered rhododendrons, ranging from small shrubs to