Friends of Flora
Friends of Flora (FOF) is a community project founded in January 2001, with its objective being to implement, in partnership with DOC, a conservation strategy to bring about the protection and/or return of endangered and threatened flora and fauna to the Flora Stream catchment area in Kahurangi National Park.
Introduced predators such as stoats and rats are destroying our native fauna. Without human intervention, our native bird population will continue to decline, and more wil be beome extinct. This is certainly true in the Flora. Our native fauna should be protected and preserved for future generations, and it is up to us all to see that it happens now.
This will enhance the experience for all visitors to this popular area, resulting in wider community appreciation and use of the Park.
Friends of Flora and the Department of Conservation maintain a
collaborative management partnership, sharing resources and expertise
for the ongoing successful management of Flora Stream. The Department
welcomes and supports the vision and initiative of the Friends of Flora
group, and is committed to working with this group to achieve their
principal aim of returning the Flora Stream to a place of birdsong.
Donations through Exclusive Ecolodges bookings are put towards expenditures on either:
Specific project work - projects planned for the next financial year include:
- Extension of the trapping lines into the Deep Creek area. This involves
marking and clearing tracks and then buying and carrying traps into
this remote area. We are planning on one line per annum so the total
extension will take up to 5 years to complete. This will link the
current protected area (4100 hectares) to neighbouring projects so as
to provide a 10000 hectare protected area one of the largest in NZ
- Re-establishment of the great spotted kiwi. Subject to approvals from the
kiwi recovery group, the group is planning to relocate up to 7 pairs of kiwi
into the Flora stream area. The money will be spent on specialised dog
tracking teams to find the kiwi, helicopter flights to move the kiwi
and trasmitters so we can monitor their progress
Ongoing costs associated with pest control and species management, such as:
- baits, lures and poisons as required
- trap and track maintenance
For more information on this project please visit the Friends of Flora website.