After years of neglect and degradation by hoons, fly-tippers, backpackers and uncontrolled dogs, a Tucker Beach wildlife reserve badly needed some friends.
Two years ago a group of nearby residents started on a mission to clean up the area and restore its ecology.
After two years of ``plugging away'', the Friends of Tucker Beach Wildlife Management Reserve have a long-term plan to enhance it for all residents to enjoy, chairwoman Rosemary Barnett says.
Although there was ``years and years'' of work to be done, they could now get cracking, she said.
Formed in 2016 after a conversation between Mrs Barnett and the group's now secretary, Lisa Deasy, it now has about 30 members.
They shared a concern about ``anti-social behaviour'' going on in the reserve, and the damage being done to the habitat of nationally endangered or critical bird species.
``We want to create a green conservation area, and work with Doc to restore the ecology of the area.''
The group's vision was now gathering momentum. A public meeting attended by Doc representatives was held last year, and the group had received Lotteries funding and practical support from Doc and the Wakatipu Reforestation Trust.
It had commissioned an ecological restoration plan that involved clearing weeds, planting natives and eradicating predators.
It was also holding a ``clean-up day'' this Saturday, from 9am to noon, to remove non-organic waste from the reserve.
As well as Friends and other volunteers, the event was being supported by Doc, the Queenstown Trails Trust and Rotary members.
