Young volunteers going up in the gondola ready to pull out wilding conifers yesterday are (front, from left) Charlotte Ralston and Talia Hughes and (rear) Isabelle Ralston and Tasman Hughes. Photo by Olivia Caldwell.
Wilding conifers are unwanted "invaders" that reduce biodiversity in their surroundings. Every six months, a group led by Alan Britland and Kevin McGechie gets together to remove as many as they can.
In March, they pulled out 40,000 so, yesterday, Mr McGechie was pleased to beat that record and "keep things under control" up on the mountain.
"We got rid of a whole heap.
"They are a pest as they kill off the natural fauna and flora in the bush."
A free lunch was provided to the volunteers from Subway and the Queenstown Collision Centre and spot prizes from Ziptrek eco tours and the Cow restaurant were given away.
Mr McGechie said he was impressed by the turnout of children and parents of the district.
