‘THE ARK IN THE PARK’ Strategic Plan for an Open Sanctuary Cascades Kauri Park, Waitakere Ranges Waitakere Branch Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society Inc. August 2002 1 Table of Contents Vision..................................................................................................................................3 Purpose................................................................................................................................3 Goals...................................................................................................................................5 Primary Goals:................................................................................................................5 Secondary Goals.............................................................................................................5 Actions................................................................................................................................5 Key Performance Indicators...............................................................................................5 Governance Structure....................................................................................................6 ARC Partnership.............................................................................................................6 Management....................................................................................................................6 Funding...............................................................................................................................6 Methodology.......................................................................................................................7 Weed Control and Monitoring........................................................................................7 Animal Pest Control and Monitoring..............................................................................7 Monitoring and species re-introduction..........................................................................8 Information and Education.................................................................................................9 Public Access......................................................................................................................9 Volunteers...........................................................................................................................9 Relationships and Linkages..............................................................................................10 Iwi.....................................................................................................................................10 Department of Conservation.............................................................................................10 APPENDIX: Background: Issues considered in the development of the plan.................11 History of the Project....................................................................................................11 Selection of Area...........................................................................................................12 Mainland Islands...........................................................................................................13 Significant Waitakere Flora and Fauna.........................................................................13 Weeds and Pests............................................................................................................14 Public Access................................................................................................................14 2 Vision From the ridges to the sea: restoration of the Waitakere Ranges to retain and enhance their natural heritage values. Purpose The purpose of this plan is to provide a strategy for an ‘open sanctuary’ in the area of the Cascades Kauri Park and Waitakere Reservoir catchment for the restoration of natural heritage, ecological processes and for the restitution of indigenous species. All of the land within the proposed Ark in the Park Open Sanctuary is in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Parkland and the sanctuary builds upon the on-going pest and park management programmes of the Auckland Regional Council, in particular their possum control and goat eradication programmes over the past 5 years. These programmes have led to improvements in the health of indigenous ecosystems in the Ranges. Similar open sanctuary or mainland island projects around New Zealand have shown that this Open Sanctuary will potentially lead to significant ecosystem enhancement in the project area and provide opportunities for the reintroduction of native animals and plants that have become extinct in the Waitakere Ranges (see Table 1). The project is likely to enhance recreational experiences for visitors to the area. This plan recognizes the need to plan proactively, identify key management tasks and consider appropriate consultation to achieve the vision. Stakeholder groups and the wider community have been consulted in the preparation of this plan over the past two years. Amendments have been made in relation to this input. The project will add value to the existing ARC pest and park management programmes by providing more intensive control of pests and reintroduce locally- extinct species and this additional work will be funded by the Waitakere Branch of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society. The project will start with a pilot area of 250ha area in the Cascades/Kauri Park area, bounded by Scenic Drive, Te Henga Rd, Falls Rd and the Anderson Track. When the project and further funding is gained, the project area is proposed to spread clock-wise around from the Anderson Track Waitakere Dam Access Road, Fenceline Track and Long Rd (Figure 1) to encompass 800ha. All of this area is outside of the Waitakere reservoir catchment in the upper Waitakere River catchment and the Watercare-administered land. At a later stage the project intends to seek approval to extend the area into the upper catchment of the Waitakere River, extending the project area to 1,700ha. 3 Figure 1 Location of the Ark in the Park Open Sanctuary area in the Waitakere River catchment. The total area is 800ha and the initial pilot area is 2-300 ha. 4 Goals Primary Goals: 1. To establish an open sanctuary (based on mainland island principles1) in the Cascades/Waitakere Reservoir area of the Waitakere Ranges Regional Parkland where:  The existing indigenous biodiversity is conserved and enhanced.  The re-introduction of “lost” species is achieved.  A restored dawn chorus is heard by future generations.  The community can participate in achieving the conservation goals.  The knowledge of our indigenous flora and fauna can be furthered. Secondary Goals 2. Support and cooperate with other restoration and open sanctuary projects in the Waitakere Ranges. 3. Investigate other open sanctuary proposals in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Parkland. 4. Enhance visitor experiences through enhanced biodiversity and species restoration. Actions 1. Submit an operational plan for the pest control operation in the Cascades/Waitakere Reservoir area. This should include plans for pest management methods, health and safety and volunteer co-ordination and monitoring. 2. Develop a restoration strategy. 3. Develop a funding strategy 4. Develop a communications strategy 5. Co-ordinate with other restoration projects in the Waitakere Ranges and New Zealand. 6. Work with the ARC and other organisations to develop a visitor strategy Key Performance Indicators The extent to which these goals are achieved will be measured by monitoring activities outlined in this Plan, as follows: 1. Elimination or reduction in numbers of introduced pests and weeds. 2. Improvement in populations of native plants, invertebrates, frogs, reptiles, birds and bats (see Table 1). 3. Improvement in seedling survival and the health of native vegetation condition. 4. Reintroduction and establishment of native species lost from the Waitakere Ranges. 1 A Saunders & D A Norton 2001 Ecological restoration at Mainland Islands in NZ. Biological Conservation 99: 109-119. 5 5. Strong support from the public for the project. (The public response to the Project will be assessed at intervals. Data will be collected of the number of people visiting the site, volunteers involved in Project activities and numbers attending (and feedback from) public meetings. Surveys of changes in public opinion could also be undertaken.) Governance Structure ARC Partnership The relationship between the Auckland Regional Council and the Waitakere Branch of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society Inc. for the ‘The Ark in the Park’ project will be defined through a Memorandum of Understanding. The MOU will be reviewed annually, in a manner similar to other ARC/community group partnerships. Management The Ark in the Park project will be managed by a sub-committee of the Waitakere Branch of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society Inc. that includes branch office-holders and invitees from Friends of Arataki and the Waitakere Ranges, Te Kawerau a Maki and people with specific technical expertise. The Waitakere Branch’s Ark in the Park sub-committee propose to establish a Technical Advisory Committee to provide advice to the management sub- committee. The Branch seeks the involvement of people with technical expertise from ARC, Universities and private consultants to assist the project. The Committee has recognised that there is a need for the appointment of a manager for ‘The Ark in the Park’ project to oversee the project, its funding, accounting and financial needs. An Operations Leader will coordinate volunteers, field logistics and coordinate with ARC field operations at the site. It is envisaged that a separate Volunteer Co-ordinator will be appointed in the future. Funding The initial sponsors of the Ark in the Park project - Friends of Arataki and the Waitakere Ranges have raised funds from grant applications and fund-raising activities. The Waitakere Branch sub-committee will continue to fund-raise from these sources and it will also seek funding from the corporate sector and public appeals. The project will draw upon the considerable conservation fund-raising expertise and infrastructure of the National Office of RFBPS. This funding will compliment the on-going ARC budget allocations for pest and park management in the project area. The operation of the project will require 6 some additional resources from ARC to ensure that council’s functions are properly coordinated with the project. Methodology Weed Control and Monitoring Most DoC mainland island work focuses on animal pest control and not weeds. However weed control is important for the protection of the ecology of the Waitakere Ranges. The main weed infestations in the area are along the forest edges and in disturbed sites within the forest, particularly near roads, major tracks and around building. For ‘The Ark in the Park’, a weed management strategy will be developed to include: 1. A programme for eradication or control of each plant pest species identified in ARC’s weed database. 2. Identification of any new weed threats. 3. Monitoring of the control and spread of weeds on a regular basis. Particular attention will be paid to safety issues on Watercare administered-lands. Animal Pest Control and Monitoring Animal pests listed in the ARC management plan 1992 for the Waitakere Ranges are: possums, rats, rabbits, mice, stoats, feral cats, pigs, goats and wasps. Since that time, the control of possums through Operation Forest Save has been very effective and possum numbers have been reduced significantly throughout the ranges. The eradication of goats has been achieved but pig numbers fluctuate and the ARC policy is now containment to minimal numbers [S.Hix, pers. comm.]. Monitoring the success of all the pest control/eradication attempts is crucial, because insufficient control of significant pests will compromise restoration programmes. Contingency plans will be need to control any increase in pest numbers detected. Currently (2002) the Department of Conservation, Ministry for the Environment and Waitakere City Council are consulting on ways to minimise pesticide use. There is considerable public concern about the use of certain pesticides and the Ark in the Park project must be mindful of these concerns. The pest control strategy needs to consider how to control can be achieved with the minimum pesticide use and the minimum side effects on non-target organisms. 7 Monitoring and species re-introduction The following tables identify suitable species for monitoring environmental and habitat improvement (Table 2), and list suitable candidates for reintroduction to the project area (Table 3). Table 2 Species suitable for environmental monitoring: Species Comments Northern rata – Metrosideros robusta Now recovering in the Waitakere Ranges tree fuchsia – Fuchsia excorticata and will probably increase in abundance. native snails Changes in abundance will be monitored. ground weta – Hemiandrus tui – Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae The existing tui and pigeon populations NZ pigeon – Hemiphaga will be useful indicator species for the novaeseelandiae project. tomtit – Petroica macrocephala This species may have already started to recovery in the Waitakere Ranges. grey warbler – Gerygone igata These species are currently common fantail – Rhipidura fuliginosa within the Waitakere Ranges North Island kaka – Nestor meridionalis May become a permanent resident following pest control. long-tailed cuckoo – Eudynamys taitensis May re-established if Whitehead is released. Table 3 Candidates for Re-introduction Reintroduction Priority Species 1 whitehead – Mohoua albicilla 2 North Island robin – Petroica australis 3 yellow-crowned parakeet – Cyanoramphus auriceps 4 bellbird – Anthornis melanura 5 Duvaucel’s gecko 6 striped skink 7 giant weta 8 North Island kokako – Callaeas cinerea 9 North Island brown kiwi – Apteryx australis 10 North Island weka 11 brown teal 12 rifleman 13 NZ falcon 14 red-crowned parakeet 8 Information and Education It is essential for the success of the Ark in the Park project that its objectives are clearly communicate to the public. This will need to be developed in concert with ARC’s natural heritage and Waitakere Ranges information and education programmes. Waitakere Branch will be seeking external funding and corporate sponsors for developing the project’s information and education material and dissemination. Issues that need to be covered in information sheets, web pages and an education programme include: 1. The Waitakere Ranges and their ecology – important flora and fauna. 2. The threats of animal and plant pests, and human activities to the ecology. 3. The open sanctuary concept. 4. Impacts of visitors, carrying capacity and visitor strategies. The Arataki Information Centre and various Auckland Regional Council services will be important components of the education and information strategy. Public Access The Ark in the Park project does not propose to restrict visitor access in the project area. Nor does the project propose any development of additional visitor facilities in the project area. Volunteers It is envisaged that much of the work of the ‘The Ark in the Park’ project will involve the use of volunteers e.g. Tramping Clubs, Conservation Corps, UNITEC, Friends of Arataki and Forest and Bird, and other organisations and individuals. Volunteer co-ordination will be a key component and this has been identified as a role for management of the programme. Experience in managing volunteers in other restoration programmes (e.g. Karori Sanctuary, Tiritiri Matangi) and the existing volunteer programmes on ARC parks will provide models and guidance in establishing a co-ordinated approach to volunteer management for the project. A draft OSH plan has been developed to comply with ARC and OSH policies. The key programmes for volunteer involvement are: 1. Checking traps and bait stations 2. Monitoring vegetation changes 3. Monitoring invertebrate, bird and reptile populations 4. Revegetation and weeding projects 5. Bird introductions and their monitoring 6. Helping with displays and interpretation, including guided walks 7. Transport of volunteers. 9 Relationships and Linkages Those involved in developing the Ark in the Park project recognise the need to establish relationships with all stakeholders. Where possible these relationships will be strengthened. Iwi Since its inception, ‘The Ark in the Park’ committee has recognised the importance of the manawhenua (customary authority) of Te Kawerau a Maki in the Waitakere Ranges. This Plan identifies the following principles: 1. ‘The Ark in the Park’ acknowledges the historical manawhenua and cultural heritage concerns of Te Kawerau a Maki in the Waitakere Ranges 2. Te Kawerau a Maki will be kept informed on all aspects of the project 3. Consultation will be undertaken with Te Kawerau a Maki to identify cultural heritage sites within the project area and ensure project activities do not adversely affect these sites. To achieve this goal the Management Committee have invited the participation of Te Kawerau a Maki and to keep them informed of progress of the project. Department of Conservation The Department is prominent in mainland island restoration and large-scale pest control programmes and has expertise that would be of value to the Ark in the Park project. The Department also has a statutory role in approving wildlife translocation applications under the Wildlife Act 1953. 10