We recently held a seminar with biodiversity expert Wayne O’Keefe from Tane’s Tree Trust, where he shared actionable steps to enhance biodiversity on farms and orchards. The central idea being that small, collective efforts can lead to significant positive changes.
Wayne highlighted the primary threats to biodiversity: climate change, habitat loss, and introduced predators. Alarmingly, only 20% of our native species are thriving, while 33% are at risk of extinction. Although national and international legislation focuses on the broader picture, there are small, impactful changes we can make locally.
A practical first step is to examine your farm map and identify areas that could be repurposed for native planting or wetland creation. You might decide to protect existing native remnants, fence off boggy areas for wetlands, or transform shelter belts into native corridors. The goal is to find spaces on your property, like shelter belts or riparian zones, that can be optimized for biodiversity.
Wayne also suggested collaborating with nearby residents who share an interest in improving biodiversity. Joining a catchment or watercare group can open up funding opportunities and foster community support. Talking to your neighbors can reveal potential allies in your efforts.
Enhancing native species and plants on your property will involve some pest and weed control. Trapping is essential in reducing pest species, with various traps available, including some which made in New Zealand (support local). Wayne recommended careful weed control, as some plants that you are thinking about getting rid of may be providing ground coverage that is helping native seedlings to grow. Clearing plants without a plan can lead to more weed growth in vacant spaces.
Monitoring is crucial and can be very rewarding. Start monitoring before implementing changes to understand what you’re protecting. You might discover surprising species like kiwi on your property, motivating you to protect and enhance local biodiversity. Use cameras, traps, or even eDNA testing to identify species through DNA in your waterways. Longer term monitoring plan could include other methods include regular photo points and five-minute bird counts.
Wayne concluded his presentation by reminding us, “Our strength lies in our collective efforts, not as individuals.”
Mel Brown – Project Coordinator