What is it about conservation work that interests you?
The original motivation was, in part, the personal benefit of exercise.
However, the satisfaction of keeping the track network accessible was, and is, a strong motivation.
The objectives are the same as always - getting up into the hills, down into mountain valleys, or following the Silverstream through dappled bush, enjoying the company of people with diverse life experience.
How does the project benefit conservation?
Our climate is conducive to rapid vegetation growth, and many tracks in the region would become impassible within a couple of years if not maintained regularly.
So our work helps to enable the public to continue to have the opportunity to enjoy forested slopes and tussock upland all around the city.
What do you get out of your work in conservation?
We get companionship, exercise and the satisfaction that our work is useful. Neither Doc nor the DCC have the funding or staff to keep the whole track network open, and we know that both of these bodies appreciate the efforts of all the groups who spend volunteer time on track-clearing.
We also get feedback from the public, who make contact having enjoyed a safe, well-delineated walking experience.
What challenges do you face and how have you overcome them?
Possibly the most obvious challenge is the need to formally involve ourselves in workplace safety considerations.
In the past, the group was free to go out with hedge shears and loppers and spend a few pleasant hours trimming undergrowth.
Nowadays, both the DCC and Doc are understandably required to keep a much more specific oversight of the various groups who spend work time (even voluntarily) in the area each controls.
This is more so in our situation, where we have acquired more sophisticated gear, such as heavy-duty weed eaters.
Another challenge is that we have slowly increased the number of tracks we accept responsibility for.
There are issues of funding, especially for machine maintenance, but we are grateful for the financial assistance we receive from Doc and the DCC, as well as various grant funders.
What would you like to do in the future with conservation?
Simply to continue to be one of the many groups of volunteers who work to enhance the outdoor experience for the city's residents.
All of the walking/tramping groups spend some days each year doing track-clearing.
We just happen to have grown to have the capability of putting a team on to the track network on a regular weekly basis.
