Call for ‘rolling calendar’ containing information on Waitaki district’s flora and fauna

The Palmerston & Waihemo A&P Association has asked the Waitaki District Council to do a stock take of the district’s flora and fauna.

Association president Paul Mutch urged councillors at the public hearings for the council’s 2018-28 long-term plan last  week to create a "rolling calendar" of  seasonal changes, which would be valued by botanists, eco-tourists and photographers.

The calendar for the area could be online, available through a smartphone app, and could be hosted by Tourism Waitaki, he said.

It would show the emerging, blooming and seed-setting of local flora; patterns of migratory birds, or  opportunities to see  other fauna,  "highlighting their relationship"  with the landscape or seascape.

The calendar would build awareness of biodiversity and ecosystems and become a valuable teaching resource, he said.