Farewell Maggie, welcome Claire

In 2019, FOBC was looking for someone to manage the weed-clearing and planting activities at the Hatchery Springs site and to supervise the Dept of Corrections workers on Saturdays. We were lucky enough to find Magali Domingo, a trained agronomist from Argentina.

Maggie, as she likes to be called, joined FOBC in October 2019 and has been a driving force in our management of the hatchery springs project. During her time, FOBC has opened up five new areas, clearing non-native scrub and planting carefully selected native plants. You can see where these areas are on the highlighted site map.

Maggie took on the supervision of Corrections workers with energy and enthusiasm. Over a total of 53 Saturdays, Maggie and her ‘team’ have made huge improvements to the Fish and Game site. 

As Maggie says, “I love that area, it’s like my own garden”.

Now Maggie has to move on to a very different project. She is expecting her first baby in March. While we are sorry to see her go, Maggie will remain involved with FOBC as a committee member. We wish her all the best and look forward to seeing her and Hayden taking Catalina for strolls along the boardwalk. Maggie will also continue with her consultancy work through her company Clever Fox Greens.

Finding a replacement for Maggie has been a challenge. However, we are extremely fortunate to have engaged Claire van Schie, a landscaper who has worked as a Conservation ranger and track builder with Nelmac in Nelson and previously worked with DoC as a trainee ranger on Stewart Island.

Claire has been to the hatchery springs site to see first-hand the work Maggie has been doing, what needs prioritising and how Maggie manages the Corrections team. Maggie has provided a first-class, detailed handover and we look forward to Claire joining FOBC. If you see Claire on site, do say hi and make her feel welcome.