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Rainforest Action
Tararu Valley Sanctuary was formed in the year 2000 to protect a very special area of the World's temperate Rainforest in New Zealand.
Tararu Valley is home to a number of threatened and endangered species: frogs, birds, bats, trees, flowers, fungi, insects - it has rich and diverse multi-layered forest.
The Sanctuary is recognised by our regional government as a “Key Ecological Site” - a terrestrial area with outstanding ecological values.
For more than 7 years the Sanctuary's successes have been numerous:
- 2000 - the Sanctuary acted quickly to save 115 acres of forest at the head of Tararu Valley. this land was retired from tree clearance and unsustainable cattle-farming practices
- 2001 - Tararu Valley Conservation Trust was incorporated as a registered non-profit charitable trust of New Zealand. Erosion zones were planted and large scale pest control work began
- 2002 - our operation recovered from the "weather-bomb" storm which closed the Valley Rd for 5 months and caused major land erosion. We planted 10,000+ trees along the riverside to protect the erosion zones and help ecological recovery
- 2003 - another larger area of land (230 acres) was purchased thanks to funds loaned and donated from past volunteers and supporters of the Sanctuary
- 2004 - extensive pest control and forest monitoring showed increases in bird numbers including Ruru (owls), Kereru, Tomtits, Bellbirds and Tui
- 2005 - a large native tree nursery was built. This facility enables several thousand trees per year to be grown on for reforestation
- 2006 - a 200 acre forest reserve is finalised and protected with special government legislation as a “QEII covenant” – which means it can never be logged or developed
- 2007 - thousands of native trees have now been replanted throughout the catchment by hundreds of local and international volunteers
But all this work is just the beginning - there is much to do. Your support through this Rainforest-Help Appeal is critically important. The funding from this Appeal will enable the Sanctuary to protect the Tararu Valley Rainforest to a much greater level.
This Rainforest-Help Appeal is vitally important" ~ Dagmar Kobbeloer, Sanctuary Manager
Long isolation from other lands has enabled New Zealand 's ecology to develop along its own unique lines. The only native land mammals are two rare species of bat. More than 80% of New Zealand 's plants occur nowhere else on Earth. Many birds lost the ability to fly – since flying is an expensive compromise most often used to escape predators.
New Zealand Rainforest species include a flightless "owl-parrot" (Kakapo), the mammal-like Kiwi bird, a bird with two voice-boxes (Tui), deaf frogs, a giant "mouse-like" grasshopper (Weta), and the "living-fossil" Tuatara - a minature dinosaur... and countless other ecological treasures.
As many of these unique plants and animals race towards oblivion - strong, decisive action is needed to protect them and their Rainforest home.
Like so many parts of the World, New Zealand's Temperature Rainforests are under threat. Develop interests like logging, plantation forestry, mining, and even residential subdivisions continue to reduce areas of ancient Rainforests. And the pest animals that Humans have brought are devastating to New Zealand's wildlife and ancient trees, which developed with no defenses against pest animals like pigs, rats and ferrets.
The Earth's current rate-of-extinction is 1000 times normal levels. (Source: IUCN)
The money raised from this Appeal will be applied for the following benefits:
- the remaining land debt on 100 acres of forest will be fully repaid
- the Sanctuary land can then be fully legally protected with a QEII covenant – which gives non-government land the equivalent protection of a National Park
- invasive pest animals will be permanently excluded with a very robust Pest-proof fence
- a large area of Rainforest restored to prime ecological health, providing a breeding ground for numerous rare and endangered Rainforest species
A Pest-proof Fence
In Tararu Valley we plan to create a 100% pest-free zone, by fencing a large area of diverse landscape to permanently keep out all pest animals (rats, pigs, etc.) This fencing technique has been developed and perfected over many years and is now a leading conservation method. It is used in Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Mauritius, and other islands.
A pest-proof fence features an underground skirt as a barrier to all burrowing animals, a wire mesh wall, and a curved top hat to keep anything from climbing up and jumping over the fence. Human access is controlled through double gates. Special culverts and watergate structures enable the fence to secure streams as well.
By protecting an area of landscape with a mix of mature forest, regenerating forest, swamp-lands, grasslands, with many large boulder fields, streams, and ponds - a rich and varied habitat can be created. In addition, by planting additional important food plants the carrying capacity of the Pest-proof Zone for native animals can be further enhanced.
Birds, ancient trees, lizards, ferns, bats, flowers, giant insects - will all benefit. Rare species like Kiwi birds which have become 'locally extinct’ can be re-introduced into the Pest-free Zone.
Visiting the fenced Pest-free Zone will be like stepping back in time... prime Rainforest filled with rare plants, lizards, and birds found nowhere else on Earth.
TAKE ACTION NOW!
Take a look at photos of this very special fencing technology and learn more about some remarkable New Zealand Rainforest species in our photograph gallery. And please support the Rainforest-Help Appeal. With your help the Tararu Valley Rainforest will be permanently protected with the special fence.
