The city council approved funding for seven conservation projects in its meeting on Thursday, including abseiling specialists carefully targeting spur valerian in Ohinetahi Bush Reserve, along with work on Mt Evans.
A unique bluffs ecosystem on Banks Peninsula that shelters rare plant species will also have wider protection from stock following funding approval for extensive fencing to aid regeneration.
The View Hills Bluffs ecosystem will receive $40,000.
All projects support private landowners who are taking voluntary action to protect biodiversity on their properties.
Three waters infrastructure and environment committee chairwoman city councillor Pauline Cotter said that the biodiversity fund “supports the necessary measures and game-changing methods to protect our environment."
“In particular, spur valerian – an invasive plant that threatens New Zealand’s biodiversity – requires an innovative approach to control,” she said.
“As an isolated country for many years, New Zealand’s ill-prepared flora has wilted as invasive flora and fauna have spread across the landscape.
“Spur valerian rapidly turns into dense growths, shading out other species and threatening rare native plants that populate rocky areas around Banks Peninsula.
“Many of the special species found in the 150ha Ohinetahi Bush Reserve – including the critically-endangered Banks Peninsula forget-me-not – and on Mt Evans are being crowded out.
“These invaders are a huge threat to our indigenous species, choking flora and, in turn, endangering fauna.”
Work to protect a waterway and indigenous trees, shrubs and ferns in Luke Thelning Reserve in Okains Bay and an indigenous forest that supports weta, and New Zealand flora and fauna in Goughs Bay will receive $21,440 and $17,737, respectively.
Possum control and stock exclusion projects around Purau Creek in Port Levy and the Little Akaloa headwaters will also benefit from $11,229 and $4000 in funding, respectively.
“By contributing to the regeneration of these areas and preventing stock from straying into indigenous vegetation, we can improve the local habitat, including waterways."
“It’s more effective to be proactive rather than reactive in tackling non-indigenous threats to our environment head-on. We need to build up our defences against these invasive species – from possums to spur valerian.”
The $200,000 annual biodiversity fund supports and encourages initiatives that protect and enhance indigenous biodiversity in Christchurch and on Banks Peninsula.
Individuals or groups can apply for a grant worth up to $40,000.
