Te Arai Forest Troop

After purchasing from a dairy farmer in the 70s, my father and friends fenced off two of the bush blocks on the northern face of the hills on Cames Rd. The land had previously been used as overwintering blocks for a dairy herd normally based down in Tomarata. Since it was fenced off, there has been some limited trapping and shooting of Possums and baiting for Rabbits.

From early 2017, we have moved into a more comprehensive and organised pest management strategy for the property at 174 Cames Rd and surrounding bush blocks. We are using a combination of Timms traps, A24s, A12s, DOC250's, Protecta, Big Cheese and Sentry bait stations in managing rats, mice, stoats, weasels, ferrets, feral cats, hedgehogs and possums.

The goal is to eventually create a pest free biodiversity corridor linking to the Brynderwyns in the North and the offshore island sanctuaries to the East.

The Te Arai Forest Troop includes direct neighbours to coordinate the restoration of this amazing slice of forest. Take the round me tour of the project below.