Council’s Biodiversity team is continuing work at Lakes Camp and Clearwater to keep the area free of weeds, including wilding pines, rowans and silver birches.

Several Pinus contorta were removed around Lake Camp last September and the area replanted with native plants to provide shelter for the campers and improve the native biodiversity of the area.

A wilding day is planned for 22 April and the community is invited to join in.

Wilding trees, including conifers and silver birches, are self-seeded, establish faster and outcompete low-stature native plants. Wilding seeds buried underground can remain in the soil for over 20 years until growing conditions become favourable.

Most of these dormant seeds regenerate annually and, if not removed, undermine the entire biodiversity effort made so far.

Infrastructure and Open Spaces Group Manager Neil McCann said it could take up to 10 years for the native plants to establish and offer benefits, so it was important to protect them while they grew.

“We want to keep on top of the project, including volunteer days for wilding pines and other weedy trees, to remove the regenerating seed buried in the ground. We also really appreciate the efforts of the hutholders at Lake Clearwater, who persistently patrol the lake area to uproot wildings.”

The planned wilding day on Saturday 22 April falls during the school holidays and everyone, including children, is invited. The day gets under way at 9am.

Mr McCann said it would be a good outdoor event for all ages and an opportunity to network with other environmental enthusiasts.

You can email the Council biodiversity team at biodiversity@adc.govt.nz or text 027 245 6680 to register for the event.

Another project is planned mid-winter to remove remaining Pinus contorta and matured silver birches around the Lake Camp area to eradicate seed sources.