Otago Regional Council representatives saw first-hand how the council’s EcoFund is supporting an Otago Fish & Game project to restore a wildlife management reserve in Central Otago.
A group of ORC councillors and staff were shown around a planting area at the Fish & Game-managed Bendigo Wildlife Management Reserve near Cromwell.
Fish & Game officer Ben Sowry highlighted some of the challenges of wetland restoration while thanking the ORC and community volunteers who had helped Fish & Game plant more than 3000 native plants at the reserve since 2022.
“Bendigo is an excellent example of community members and organisations such as the ORC and Fish & Game pulling together to enhance these precious ecological areas,” Sowry said.
“Getting communities involved gives people a more intimate relationship with these wild places.”
Two successful rounds of funding applications from the ORC’s EcoFund had allowed Fish & Game to purchase $10,000 worth of trees from Matukituki Natives nursery at Wānaka.
The 158 hectare reserve is one of several wetland restoration projects supported by Fish & Game’s habitat enhancement fund, which redistributes diversion fees for angling and game-bird hunting offences.
Many of the plants were also supplied by the Otago Corrections Facility.
Community groups who had volunteered at planting events at Bendigo included Cromwell Youth Trust, Cromwell College, Scouts, Cromwell Homeschool Group, as well as individual members of the public.
As well as native planting in the reserve, the priority has been addressing the encroachment of willow species choking islands and river channels, to restore critical habitat for waterfowl.
The management goals for Bendigo Wildlife Management Reserve, set by Fish & Game in collaboration with the Department of Conservation, include enhancing waterfowl populations, promoting recreational waterfowl hunting and conservation for protected wildlife.
“In addition to conserving protected wildlife, Bendigo is a valued kai basket and recreational area,” Sowry said.
“I’m slightly envious of our young community members helping us to enhance this habitat, who will be able to continue harvesting wild food, such as game birds and sports fish, and enjoying its recreational amenities for many years to come.”
