Business Central September 2021

| 107 ENVIRONMENT Wildlands Consultants T T Sue Russell The Piako Green Corridor Project involves large-scale riparian retirement and planting with the aim to create a corridor of indigenous habitats along the Piako River. S ince it was established in 1985, ecologi- cal services provider, Wildland Consult- ants Ltd, has grown to a diverse team of 150 staff, working out of 14 locations through - out the country. Principal ecologist, Sarah Beadel, says the tremendous growth in the company is directly related to the outstanding services the team provide to individuals, property developers, iwi-based organisations, farmers, and district and regional councils. “We’ve grown to this extent due to demand. More and more people want or need good quality ecological services. “We offer a broad range of services includ - ing ecology, biodiversity, ecological restoration and revegetation, surveying and monitoring, restoration of wetlands, establishment and enhancement of indigenous plants and fauna, to name a few,” Sarah says. Wildland Consultants head office is based at Whakarewarewa, Rotorua and the company undertakes a lot of work for forestry compa- nies. It also has a number of interesting and challenging projects on their books, involving a range of ecological disciplines, development activities, and restoration initiatives. These inlcude at Pūtauaki (Mt Edgecumbe), Kawerau where Wildlands has been commis- sioned by the Ngā Maunga Kaitiaki Trust, to provide a staged plan for the revegetation and management, to achieve a full cover of indigenous vegetation. “The trust wants to restore and enhance the indigenous ecological values of the Maunga with the overall aim of enhancing the mauri of Pūtauaki by protecting and restoring indige - nous vegetation and habitats,” Sarah explains. A memorandum of understanding between the Trust and the BOPRC has been in place since 2013, is underpining the ecological res- toration being carried out on the maunga. The ecological restoration plan prepared by Wildlands has assisted the Trust with ap- proaching ecological restoration and manage- ment of Pūtauaki in a cohesive manner, on a long-term basis, that expands on earlier work. “We’re also involved in restoration projects at several other sites around Kawerau. This is exciting and significant work which will bring long-term benefits to future generations.” Another significant project for Ōkere Adven - tures (trading as Rotorua Ziplines) is at Ōkere Falls, Lake Rotoiti. An ecotourism attraction; the proposed tour will include several ziplines and walkways “We became involved as part of the resource consent process and concession from the Department of Conservation, when Wildlands was commissioned to provide an assessment of ecological effects of the proposed attraction, which we completed in 2020,” says Sarah. Ziplines will cross above the Kaituna River while guides will support participants to un- derstand the cultural significance of the local awa (river). The report included an assessment of the ecological values of the site and focussed on avoiding impacts of the tour activity on those values. Last year, Rotorua Ziplines received resource consent to proceed and Wildlands was commissioned to prepare an Ecological and Landscape Management Plan, as part of the conditions attached to resource consent approval. The Piako Green Corridor Project involves large-scale riparian retirement and planting with the aim to create a corridor of indigenous habitats along the Piako River. “The aim is to reconnect the Kopuatai Peat Dome with the Firth of Thames, two areas identified as having international significance.” The work involves 15.5km of river and 16km of foreshore drains. In addition to restoration along the Piako River, the project will include riparian planting along the drain network that connects the Piako, Waihou, and Waitakaruru Rivers. Ecological services in demand SERVICES OFFERED: • Car / 4×4 SUV / Commercial / Agricultural Tyres • Wheel Alignment • Run Flat Tyre Repair • Wheel Balancing • Puncture Repair • AlloyWheel Sale • 24 Hour Fleet Callout Service Owner/Operators: Mark Fisher & Barry Flavell ROTORUA sales@cartersrotorua.co.nz • 07 345 6184 www.carterstyres.co.nz 301 Te Ngae Road, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty 3010 commercial arboriculture contractor W treesafe.co.nz P (09) 411 5076 E admin@treesafe.co.nz Contact New Zealand’s leading native plant wholesaler Naturally Native has a fabulous team of experts that grow over 500 native species and cultivars. These plants are supplied in large volumes into the retail, commercial and contract markets. Need large quantities of native plants for your revegetation project? naturallynative.co.nz @naturallynativenz info@naturallynative.co.nz