Recently we’ve had two new Trustees join Friends of Bullock Creek Board of Trustees. Bo has answered some questions to help us get to know him a bit better. You can find Bo volunteering at our Thursday sessions, so come down and say hi to him!

In five words, describe what makes Bullock Creek so special

Bubbling Peaceful Urban Oasis .

What kind of skills and experience do you bring to your role as Trustee?

Extensive experience in Conservation Capital Project Development and Construction Project Management.

How did you become involved with FOBC?

As new Wānaka residents, we were impressed with the swift clear stream running through the playground where our grandchildren play and just had to find out more. We ended up donating our moving box cardboard to FOBC and then became an active volunteer.

What have been some highlights of your work so far as a trustee for FOBC?

I have only been involved a short time as a Volunteer and now a Trustee, but seeing the transformation FOBC have made to Bullock Creek is amazing. The new plantings have really taken off and the invasive weeds are slowly but surely being beaten back, transforming the site.

What are some challenges you see regarding local environmental protection and regeneration?

The biggest challenge that I think is put upon the clear waters of Bullock Creek is the ongoing Urban intensification that can have the effect of increasing contaminated surface water runoff and that if not managed properly could enter the Bullock Creek waterways. This could be devastating to the Bullock Creek water clarity and habitat.

Where do you see FOBC in ten years time?

That the site has been fully reinstated to something that was close as what was there before human development altered the site. The whole site replanted and invasive weed species removed or controlled. Education programs developed along with spaces for public enjoyment.

Take a walk with us through the Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs…but in 4x speed! As you walk along the boardwalk through the wetlands, a plethora of life greets you, from the tūī to the pīwakawaka, to the kahu that regularly soar overhead. Plants such as harakeke, horoeka, karamū, mānuka, kānuka, kahikatea, toetoe, and tawai lend their fronds and canopies as welcome shade, habitat, food and respite to the humans and more-than-humans who call the wetlands home…or those just visiting! You may spot some ducks floating down the creek or even some fish like trout or the native koaro swimming along. Spend any amount of time here and you’ll feel grounded and refreshed.

Te Wiki o Te Taiao Conservation Week runs from today until the 7th of September. The theme this year is take action for nature.

All of us, whether as individuals, families, workplaces and organisations, have a role to play, and there are many actions we can take for nature, whether big or small, within our own capacities.

Why must we take action?

A combination of global warming, biodiversity loss due to human activity such as development and recreation, pollution and invasive species are contributing to the terrifying threat and loss of plant and animal species to extinction. Currently in Aotearoa, 40,000 (forty thousand!!!) species are at-risk or are threatened with extinction.

What can we do?

·Join a volunteer group, such as with us! Thursdays 2pm-4pm at 107 Stone Street, Wānaka

·Advocate for nature through local and Central Government levels; contact your local representatives and elected officials, write letters, petition, protest, boycott and divest to make your voice heard in action for nature protection

·Create an ecosystem for native plants and animals in your backyard/verandah/courtyard etc etc; mini-ecosystems support habitat for native animals including lizards, insects and birds, thereby supporting biodiversity

·Plant native plants at your home to attract pollinators

·Reduce wastewater run-off by washing your car on the lawn; wastewater and stormwater ends up in our lakes and waterways

·Install traps on your property; trapping pest animals helps keep our native animals safe, alive and thriving and reduces biodiversity loss

·Get involved in citizen science; contributing to the scientific data set helps organisations and Governments plan necessary and targeted ecosystem and biodiversity policies, strategies and actions

·Start a group and share the message about the importance of biodiversity and taonga species; educate yourselves and others about the significance and importance of saving our native species

·Donate to conservation organisations and Trusts, to help them continue their good mahi for nature

Check out https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/events/conservation-week/ for more information and for more ideas of actions you can take for nature this Conversation Week and every week of the year.

What is already being undertaken?

Well, right here with Friends of Bullock Creek, the work to restore the wetlands at the Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs site is just one example of taking action for nature. Over almost 10 years, more than 11,000 plants have gone into the ground, following the ongoing efforts to remove non-native invasive vegetation on site. The wetlands are home to a diverse ecosystem, from the wee macroinvertebrates and fish species in the creek itself, to the myriad native plant species, to the array of native birds making their home in the wetlands, not to mention the bees (!), Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs is a gem of a native restoration project.

Locally, we can also look to several other organisations doing good mahi for the environment, for example:

Te Kākano Aotearoa Trust- eco-sourced native seeds and plants, native nursery, community planting and education

WAI Wānaka- freshwater health and monitoring, education and community engagement

Southern Lakes Sanctuary- a collaboration of conservation organisations, educationcommunity engagement

Predator Free Wānaka- pest animal trapping and education

Forest & Bird- a range of local and national conservation projects for wai, te whenua, ngā moana and the climate

If you haven’t already met Andy, let her reintroduce herself. Andy is one of our Trustees, sitting in the role of Secretary, but doing a whole lot more for FOBC such as advocacy and funding applications. Read on to hear from Andy in her own words about her volunteer work with FOBC and why this is so important to her.

In five words, describe what makes Bullock Creek so special

 Unique spring fed urban wetland.

What kind of skills and experience do you bring to your role as Trustee?

I have been in business in Wānaka since moving here 25 years ago. Now retired I have the time to devote to FOBC and other voluntary projects that benefit the community. 

How did you become involved with FOBC?

The Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs is my backyard. I love being involved with a enthusiastic group of volunteers who are committed to transforming a forgotten corner of urban Wānaka into a snippet of native bush filled with the song of tūī and korimako.

What have been some highlights of your work so far as a trustee for FOBC?

I am a new Trustee, but I've been involved with FOBC for the last 2 years in an admin role. Highlights for me so far have been the significant increase in volunteer participation, funding success, (and) increased interconnectivity with other educational and environmental groups in Wānaka.

What are some challenges you see regarding local environmental protection and regeneration?

Increased urbanisation around the BC Hatchery Springs site and where we are working to restore the native vegetation. Flooding issues at the site caused by historic stormwater mis-management. 

Where do you see FOBC in ten years time?

The restoration of the BC Hatchery Springs site is complete. We have created an environmental education hub for water, plant and predator eradication. Our immediate neighbours both upstream and downstream are supportive and invested in our project. We retain a group of enthusiastic volunteers and financial supporters who are committed to maintaining the BC Hatchery Springs site into the future. 

The spring water we know as Bullock Creek first makes its way down from Cardrona, filtered through the Wānaka-Cardrona aquifer, which is found in the Cardrona Valley between the Criffell and Cardrona ranges. This aquifer also regulates groundwater locally and affects some parts of the Ōrau Cardrona River during summer, and eventually flows into the Mata-au Clutha River and Lake Wānaka. This same aquifer also discharges (as it does at Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs) at springs around Albert Town, Lakeside Drive and Ripponlea, as well as numerous human-made bores and wells.

An aquifer is the body of water that has soaked through the ground, through the gravel, sand and rocks, and settled underground; also known as groundwater, aquifers take on water in areas known as recharge areas, as opposed to discharge areas, mentioned above.

Geologically, the river and glacial gravel and sedimentation associated with the Wānaka-Cardrona aquifer is a mix of the Pleistocene and Holocene rock, ageing them from the present day up to 2.5 million years old!

The quality of the water that we have at Bullock Creek is wholly dependent upon the types of rock contained within the aquifer but is also impacted directly by human activity. For example, leaching of chemicals and fertilisers used in farming can find their way into the aquifer as well as wastewater run off from urbans areas which can contain microbial pathogens, ultimately ending up in Bullock Creek and Lake Wānaka, for example.

Water quality studies and monitoring is important to understand the risks to water quality and to mitigate them. A number of local organisations and council departments provide this data, and also encourage members of the public to report water quality issues. WAI Wānaka and Otago Regional Council can be contacted for further information; to report water quality issues call ORC on 0800 800 033 or go to this website: https://www.orc.govt.nz/environment/report-pollution/

Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs, in case you didn’t know, is teeming with life above and below ground. Tui, kahu, pīwakawaka, bees, blackbirds, worms, macroinvertebrates, fish, and mycelium all converge at the wetlands, not to mention the life force of the water itself. Wai is taonga in Te Ao Māori, evident in the life-giving sustenance it provides to the whenua and its plants and animals.

Bullock Creek springs seeping through the ground

Bullock Creek is the culmination of a journey, created by the Wānaka Basin-Cardrona gravel aquifer, located to the South-South West of Wānaka township, finally seeping directly from the ground throughout the Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs site. If you follow a map, you can imagine the journey the wai has taken to wend and weave its existence into the creek we know as Bullock Creek.

If you go down to the creek today, who will you meet? What will you find? Will you know where the water has come from?

Calling all Bullock Creek and nature lovers. We want you!

If you see a rabbit, please text Paul on 021 056 9146.

We are encouraging all members of the public to report any rabbit sightings you may have when at the Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs site. For any rabbit sightings, please text Paul the number of rabbits sighted, and the date and time of the sighting. This helps inform our rabbit (and greater pest) management strategy. Less pests in the wetlands means a win for local biodiversity.

This week we are highlighting the work and contributions of our Lead Contractor, Paul van Klink. Paul pretty much single-handedly started the wetland restoration 9 years ago and continues to be a driving force in the planning and execution of the restoration works, including being the supervisor extraordinaire of our Thursday volunteer sessions. Read on to hear from Paul in his own words.

What are your skills and experience background?

 I have worked in conservation and ecology since I left school and completed a BSC a few years later when I realised that is what I wanted to do. I specialised in working on endangered species and a highlight was training and working with a threatened species detector dog. In the past few years I have slowly retired from the physical fieldwork and shifted my focus to learning more about our native plants.

Why did you become involved in FOBC and how long have you been involved?

I was employed by Otago Fish & Game as a field officer from 2015 till 2022. At that time Otago Fish & Game had already de-established the Wānaka Hatchery operations but the site remained with the Council. One of the jobs I got involved in was cleaning up the site including disposing of assets on the site and I also began some adventive plant management along the banks of Bullock Creek adjacent to the hatchery grounds. It was during those first couple of years working for Fish & Game that Te Kākano, the Wānaka Residents Association and the Department of Corrections became involved in the restoration of the headwaters of Bullock Creek. FOBC was formed in 2018 and the site was named by the Otago Fish & Game Council as Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs.  

What is your role/s at FOBC?

 I am the primary contractor responsible for the operational delivery of the workplan for the site. Most of this work is completed for FOBC Trust but I also complete some tasks on the site for Fish & Game. The work is really about progressing the staged restoration of Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs. To do this FOBC engages with the community and together with FOBC volunteers, Te Kākano, school groups, other contractors and the Department of Corrections, the work is undertaken. 

What have been some highlights during your time at FOBC?

Highlights have been the formation of FOBC which have been instrumental in raising awareness, fundraising for the operations and the boardwalk and also a huge amount of resourse managment work that has been required. 

Getting the QE11 covenant registered on the title prior to me leaving Fish & Game in 2022 was another highlight. Also with the community efforts, we have collectively planted over 11,000 native plants. 

In five words, describe what makes Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs so special

Passionate People 

Spring water trickling

Wetland natives flourishing

Peace and tranquility

Birds and Bees

Where do you see Bullock Creek in ten years time?

 In terms of the total area we are approximately halfway through the staged restoration. The hardest thing now is the weed control required to clear the site for the next 10,000 natives that will be planted on the site. The current goal is to plant 1,000 plants per growing season so if FOBC is able to keep up the current efforts and resources then it is definitely achievable. 

Paul having a lakeside brew after work

As we’ve done over the recent months with our volunteers, we’d also like to shout out and recognise all the mahi that goes on behind the scenes thanks to our Trustees. Friends of Bullock Creek Trust is managed by a committed Board of Trustees who are responsible for all the fundraising, awareness-raising, education, collaborations, restoration planning, and community engagement. A lot of their work goes unseen by many, but it is their ongoing work and the fruits of their labour that ensures the continued protection and restoration of Bullock Creek for all. Together with Paul van Klink, our valued operational works contractor and the work of Ed Astin alongside Paul, a tremendous amount of work occurs on a weekly, and sometimes even daily basis. We recognise and thank them all for their continued commitment to the gem that is Bullock Creek in Wānaka.

Over the coming months we will profile some of our Trustees here so you can get to know them a bit more, and hear in their own words what drives them to be involved in FOBC.

First up is Charlotte…

In five words, describe what makes Bullock Creek so special

Urban seepage wetland.

What kind of skills and experience do you bring to your role as Trustee?

 I have an accounting background and work with a variety of businesses and charities.

How did you become involved with FOBC?

The Bullock Creek Wetland is close to the home that I grew up in. When Roger (my dad) and Paul started clearing the area and FOBC came about I volunteered my services in preparing the Charities return and providing bookkeeping to the organisation. 

 What have been some highlights of your work so far as a Trustee for FOBC?

 I think the overall highlight is how well maintained the site is and how it is enjoyed by so many members of the public. It really is a testament to the countless volunteer hours and a long term vision for the space. 

What are some challenges you see regarding local environmental protection and regeneration?

 In general I see challenges around local environmental protection and the rate of development of the Wānaka area. Wānaka is an extremely desirable place to be, but we need to be mindful of how infrastructure co-exists with nature and making sure that the decisions made now serve us in the future. 

Where do you see FOBC in ten years time?

As a QEII protected space my hope is that the Bullock Creek wetland is enjoyed for generations to come. FOBC’s role is to help support that.

What do you think of when you visit the wetlands?

Do you think of a beautiful space, where it is lovely to spend time and is full of native flora and fauna?

Do you look around you and notice the tui singing in the trees, the kahu soaring overhead, the bees buzzing around?

Do you see the world in miniature, the tiny insects living in a tiny ecosystem of moss on fallen logs, lichen clinging to tree trunks and scattered over stones and windfall branches?

Do you stop to take it all in, look around you, see, hear, feel and smell the world of the wetlands?

Looking around, sometimes it seems as though there is an intentional art trail set throughout the wetlands…not the art of humans painting on canvas or sculpting creations from clay. Nor the art of photography even, focusing in on the hidden and unseen worlds that march along while we’re living our human-sized lives.

The art you can see if you stop and look is the art of nature, all around us. The art of gradients of green flung throughout the wetlands; the art of fungi clinging to a fallen log; the art of stones slick with wet and plastered with dead leaves.

Do you see the art of nature when you visit the wetlands? What do you see?