FOBC have a very exciting announcement to make in the coming weeks. We’ll soon be taking delivery of a VERY SPECIAL ITEM. What could it be? We can tell you it is a form of transport, but will keep the big reveal hidden for now!
We’d love to hear what you think it may be…now taking your best guesses and ideas for what it is and what it will be used for…kudos for the most outlandish/funny/spot on guesses!
All will be revealed in good time…
TW: image of deceased animal
Have you ever wondered about the pest animals found at Bullock Creek wetlands? Well we can tell you that they exist, and have been systematically trapped since 2018. Introduced pests like hedgehogs, possums, rats and stoats have all been found and trapped at the wetlands.
Trapping is an important method of pest control. Why? Because pest animals contribute to the predation of native species of birds, lizards, amphibians and insects; they compete with native species for food sources; and destabilise delicate ecosystems that we all rely on.
Check out this information from Southern Lakes Sanctuabout predators and their environmental impact.
https://southernlakessanctuary.org.nz/the-sanctuary/predators/
For information about how to become involved in backyard trapping in the Wānaka area, contact Predator Free Wānaka at https://www.predatorfreewanaka.org/get-involved
And keep your eyes peeled here on our website and on our social media pages for more information and news about predator control at Bullock Creek wetlands in the upcoming months.
Since late last year, our friends at Te Kākano have been developing and running free workshops for the community, teaching folk how to weave a plant guard using harakeke.
The Interwoven Project teaches people how to respectfully harvest and work with harakeke (flax) according to tikanga, in making a beautiful plant guard for native plants. As Te Kākano say, the project is “…about weaving together people, culture and our environment”.
They have been incredibly popular around town, and a hot ticket to get your hands on.
We’re proud to be hosting Te Kākano for one of their Interwoven workshops at Bullock Creek wetlands on Thursday 22nd May from 12pm-2pm. Attendance is free but registration is required as there is a maximum of 20 participants for the workshop.
Head to the Te Kākano website for more information and to book your spot: https://tekakano.org.nz/
Bullock Creek and the wetlands are a special place. Friends of Bullock Creek Trust, with our five Trustees, exists:
(a) To protect, restore and enhance the public amenity and the environment of Bullock Creek from head waters to its entry point into Lake Wānaka.
(b) To raise and manage funds to support object (a) above.
(c) To engage, inform and educate members of the public and residents of Wānaka as to the significance of Bullock Creek as a spring fed waterway, and how to manage and protect it
Along with the work our Trustees do, engaging in these important advocacy, oraganising, community engagement and managing roles behind-the-scenes, our works contractors Paul and Ed and our dedicated group of regular volunteers and other volunteers we welcome throughout the year, do the mahi of wetlands restoration and education with on-the-ground planting of native species, invasive species management, and pest control.
Combined, all of this work results in the continued restoration of Bullock Creek wetlands, for the benefit of locals and visitors, the creek itself and the ecosystems surrounding it, now and into the future.
If you love what we do and want to support us, consider making a donation. Check out the Support page for bank account details.
Thank you for your support!
Making a donation by the entrance sign at Bullock Creek wetlands
Continuing our volunteer profile series, this week we feature Mary, a long time volunteer and Bullock Creek neighbour. Read on to learn more about Mary and her volunteering.
Mary enjoying a rest after an afternoon volunteer session
When did you start volunteering with FOBC?
I started volunteering for FOBC in 2017, supplying lunch on Saturdays for Corrections workers and also doing occasional work clearing under trees, cutting back blackberry overhanging the creek, clearing in the creek etc. I then began regular Thursday afternoon volunteering in 2023.
Why did you start?
I was helping my husband Roger, who was the voluntary Saturday Corrections Supervisor for several years. I met Paul van Klink (Fish & Game at that time), enjoyed his knowledge and enthusiasm and so became a regular volunteer post-Covid.
What keeps you coming back as a volunteer?
I keep returning as I enjoy the physical work, seeing the very evident results of our input and getting to know a like-minded, happy & positive group of people. The cup of tea and chat after work is great too!
Why is volunteering important to you?
Involvement engenders a sense of purpose, a strong sense of community and I enjoy meeting new people and interesting people passing through, including tourists.
What would you say to others about volunteering?
Find something you enjoy doing, that can make a contribution to, and give it a go. It's very rewarding - and fun- weather permitting!!
Today we held our regular Thursday volunteer session. A small group of regular volunteers came along on this sunny, blue-sky Autumn day. We focused on mulching around some native plantings that had become overgrown with grass and other weeds. Without regular maintenance and management, it is easy for the native plants to become overwhelmed by voracious weeds, competing with the natives for precious light, nutrients and water.
That is why laying cardboard and spreading a thick layer of mulch over the top is important to help suppress the weeds and give our native plants every chance to grow and thrive. We even need to use the weedeater at times to more easily manage the grass before we can lay the cardboard and mulch.
Being outside on such a beautiful day, laughing and mucking around with our fellow volunteers, having a cuppa after the hard mahi and doing our bit for wetland regeneration is what it’s all about.
Have you seen the Easter Bunny? We have!!! If you go down to Bullock Creek, you may even see two…!
Happy Easter from all of us here at FOBC- we’re almost halfway through the year and powering through our work. We have been having plenty of visitors to the wetlands, including some preschool groups, as well as locals walking through the wetlands and plenty of visitors too.
Our volunteer session time has changed, to fit with the changing weather and hours of daylight. Currently Thursdays 2pm-4pm; meet at the corner of Stone St near the old hatchery site. All welcome!
On Thursday 10th April, we held a thank-you picnic on the wetlands boardwalk platform in the late afternoon Autumn sun. A group of volunteers and Trustees enjoyed a grazing platter, tea and coffee and even a wine (thanks to Sue and Andrew), and enjoyed some social time together, chatting and catching up after the first of our afternoon volunteer sessions for the year (now 2-4pm!)
We had perfect weather and even had a Kahu make a flying visit and a furry friend drop by for some sniffs and pets!
Thanks to Paul for the great idea, the Trustees for attending and backing the event, and of course, our volunteers, without whom we couldn’t do the wetlands restoration work that makes Bullock Creek so special.
Today we want to recognise the importance of partnerships, collaborations and funders to the continued mahi of Friends of Bullock Creek. When organisations work together, resources, knowledge, skills and efficiencies can be shared, meaning more capability within the community for environmental, ecosystem and change and benefit for everyone.
With the continued collaboration and partnership with key organisations like Te Kākano, WAI Wānaka, Otago Catchment Community Inc, Tiaki Bees, Wānaka Backyard Trapping, Otago Regional Council and Otago Fish & Game, we benefit from their resources and their own staff and volunteer bases, providing the land on which we undertake the restoration work, providing support and guidance, helping us to plant the native plants, and monitoring the creek and waterway health. Plus so much more.
And without funding from key funders like Otago Catchment Community Inc, Patagonia and Central Lakes Trust, the wetlands restoration work we do at Bullock Creek wouldn’t happen. Period.
And let’s not forget our wonderful volunteers, who we continue to uplift and celebrate, in being there week in, week out over the past 9 years, during the rain and the sunshine, doing the hard mahi of weeding, mulching, and planting (and everything in between) to help restore Bullock Creek wetlands and springs to the space we all enjoy now.
Thank you to everyone who makes, and has made, Bullock Creek what it is today.
Be sure to check out and support all these fabulous organisations- together, we all make a strong community, passionate about environmental and ecosystem health and wellbeing.