This month, North Shore hosts a special community science project: Kaipātiki Citizen Science Month. Pest Free Kaipātiki Restoration Society is asking people who live in, work in or visit the area to contribute to environmental scientific surveys that will ultimately help to protect our native bush and wildlife.
Pest Free Kaipātiki is a community-led charity working to restore native biodiversity across the Kaipātiki Local Board area. Following te Ao Māori principle of kaitiakitanga, Pest Free Kaipātiki aims to involve the community in the control of destructive predators and invasive pest plants, and foster guardianship of the kauri forests. Kaipātiki has the second highest forest cover of any local board area in Auckland; the Society’s vision is one where birds and other native wildlife flourish, and everyone works together to support the natural heritage.
The Citizen Science project aims to collect data during August that will help to establish baseline information on local biodiversity and pest abundance and track progress in pest management and environmental restoration.
“We can’t collect this important information alone,” says Fiona Smal from Pest Free Kaipātiki. “Anyone can contribute a small piece of the puzzle (or a great deal if they wish) by taking part in one of several activities. Any contribution is incredibly valuable to us. The information will help us better look after our forests, wildlife and precious taonga.”
Citizen Science Month has grown out of the popularity of Pest Free Kaipātiki’s annual predator detection ‘Chew Card’ campaign, the largest survey of its kind in Auckland and a finalist in the Mayoral Conservation Awards in 2018. This uses a very simple tool (the ‘chew card’) to detect predators that roam across backyards and the 42 bush reserves in the area, by collecting bite marks left on the cards. This campaign has led to greater interest in protecting wildlife from predators, and developing reserve and neighbourhood trapping projects.
“Each year, a large number of locals (now citizen scientists!) have taken part in the ‘Chew Card’ campaign. What’s incredibly encouraging is that some people had never been involved with conservation or environmental volunteering before,” says Fiona.
This year, in addition to predator detection, Kaipātiki Citizen Science Month includes four extra activities to allow everyone to take part. People can help to identify and record destructive pest plants; assess the health of local rivers and streams; monitor native birds and wildlife; and photograph the urban forest to help Pest Free Kaipātiki track positive change. There are fun challenges to take part in and even prizes to be won.
“We hope many more people will get involved with our expanded programme,” Smal adds. “The goal is to make this Auckland's largest Citizen Science project ever.”
“People are the most valuable resource we have. This is such an exciting project, as it provides a really simple, fun, scientifically important way for everyone to make a difference. Families and individuals can get involved, explore new reserves and make a contribution all at the same time.”
For more information about Pest Free Kaipātiki and how to get involved in the Citizen Science project, visit www.pestfreekaipatiki.org.nz or email enquiries@pestfreekaipatiki.org.nz.
