Boost For War Against Wildings

The war against wilding trees has received a welcome boost with confirmation of a Lotteries Commission grant, Wakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group (WCG) spokeswoman Briana Pringle said. 

“We have been granted $132,601 for wilding control in Wakatipu. It’s great news,” she said.

The funding would allow control to take place in the following areas:

Roaring Meg, Bush Creek, Skippers, Closeburn/ Moke Lake Area, Front Faces of Coronet Peak Station and German Hill, Arrowtown. 

The money had been granted specifically from the Environment and Heritage Lottery Grants Board, she said.

The news comes just as the WCG has completed a productive season with the total ha controlled by the WCG and Department of Conservation being 10,332 ha using a range of tools.

“Millions of conifers have been pulled, cut and sprayed. Over $600,000 has been invested by the WCG and DOC in conifer control this past year. A record year!” she said.

The WCG had over 70 members and 307 people on its volunteer database. The working partnership between DOC and the WGC allowed the best use of finance, technical skills and organisation in an efficient cost effective way.

“We are now in great shape to look forward to another productive control season,” Ms Pringle said.

In addition to the lotteries funding the group had secured funding from: Skyline Enterprises’ $50,000 (annual grant for Ben Lomond and Bowen Peak areas), Queenstown Lakes District Council $129,451 and funding from LINZ.