ACTION BIO-COMMUNITY - Local Capacity in Biodiversity Management

the international conference on conservation held 4 - 7 July 2007; University of Waikato Hamilton

Conserv-Vision, 4-7 July 2007, University of Waikato, Hamilton

(Thanks to Frances Schmechel, a participant from Environment Canterbury, who provided these notes. She welcomes any corrections or additions that others may have to these notes).

Key points from the conference:

investing in community biodiversity initiatives has significant social and economic benefits (C.P. Howe, WWF);

regional ratepayers would be willing to pay $200 more per year (more in other regions) in rates to assist with native tree planting (Yao, R & P. Kaval, Univ of Waikato);

there are key issues that influence protection of bush remnants by 'low intention' and 'high intention' private landowners which could be used to assist in advocacy (T.G. Parminter, AgResearch);

progress in strategic weed management is good in theory but proving challenging to implement for a variety of reasons (Popay, I. & S. Timmins, DOC);

charitable trusts are very effective for species conservation in NZ but there are a host of advantages and limitations to this model (E. Kennedy, Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust);

vocal anchors are proving quite effective for kokako transfers (Hudson, J, DOC);

seals and sea lions are successfully re-colonising the Otago coast, but future conflicts are likely due to the nature of these critters (Lalas, C.);

air space may fit the definition of habitat under the RMA (with implications for wind farms) (Wallace, P, Univ of Waikato);

‘Future Scenarios: 100% Pure Conjecture? A Game to Stimulate Interest in Future Directions for New Zealand’ is interesting and fun. Recommended.

Policy on global warming that is willing to accept a 2^o C increase in temperatures is based on the interests of the G8 and ignores the costs to the environment (and to peoples and countries that will bear the brunt of the damage of this level of temperature increase - mainly tropical, poorer, women and children).

An analysis of the history of lowland biodiversity conservation over the last decade shows a systemic failure to bring together the three strands needed for successful implementation of the NZ Biodiversity Strategy: policy, community support, and science. DOC is not well placed to be the key agency for assisting in halting the decline of native species on private land; regional councils are the clear alternative, but there are many barriers to them realising their potential (Blaschke, P. & W Green, consultants).

Website for the conference

http://www.waikato.ac.nz/wfass/Conserv-Vision/index.shtml

Conserv-Vision Presentations and Follow-Up Notes