The Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust and the West Coast Penguin Trust have teamed up to bring you a stunning behind the scenes fundraising tour, led by the hugely experienced Nature Quest, for our supporters.
There’s just one opportunity to join a trip, departing from Nelson on 3rd September and running to 10th with an optional extension through the Catlins and to Stewart Island.
If you’re fortunate enough to join this tour, you’ll gain unforgettable insights in the lives and challenges of our beloved penguin species, state of the art Tawaki, Kororā, and Hoiho research, and unrivalled access to the dedicated staff that make everything happen. And, of course you’ll see each species in its natural habitat, and all the while travelling through the spectacular South and Stewart Islands.
Read the brochure here. (Please note, the brochure indicates a second tour, but there is just the one opportunity so get in quick.)
This is a fabulous opportunity for penguin lovers and a fabulous opportunity for the West Coast Penguin Trust to be involved.
You can contact Nature Quest via nature@naturequest.co.nz or on 021 680 524.
While materials were chosen that would stand up to the harsh coastal conditions, those same coastal conditions are conducive to plant growth! Occasional checks of the fences have been carried out by volunteers and rangers so that any maintenance needs can be identified and remedied. The never-ending need for maintenance is managing the vegetation that can grow through the fence, for example gorse, blackberry and hydrangea, pushing it to breaking point in places, or flop over causing damage from the weight of rank grass, rushes and weeds such as montbretia.
Volunteers recently spent a few hours tidying up the main fence along Woodpecker Bay north of Punakaiki so a big shout out to them - thank you Fiona, Jony, Reef, Katrina, Mandy, Marty, Teresa and Deb! Flax had been pressing down on the fence, but now the fence has been freed up by these wonderful volunteers - and they picked up a fair bit of rubbish too.
Volunteer Natassja Savidge has offered to check and help maintain the Hokitika penguin protection fence and joined Ranger Lucy Waller and Manager Inger Perkins in May to inspect the length of the fence. Some minor issues were found but the main finding was the extent of the vegetation growth that was damaging the fence in places. Big thanks to Natassja!
