Field Trips
There are three alternative full-day field trips on Monday 22 November. All trips are subject to minimum and maximum numbers, and will be closed when full or if numbers are insufficient - so please register early!
Please register for any of the following field trips via the conference registration form on the Registration tab. You may like to indicate a second option in case your preferred field trip is full.
1. Orokonui Ecosanctuary
Otago's flagship biodiversity restoration project
PLEASE NOTE: THIS FIELDTRIP IS NOW FULLY BOOKED
$45 per person (lunch additional at Ecosanctuary Café, or bring your own)
Of the 15 million hectares that make up the South Island, there are only a tiny 300 hectares where introduced predators - including humans - cannot harm our native animals, and where introduced herbivores cannot consume our vulnerable native plants. Those 300 hectares are the Orokonui Ecosanctuary. The Ecosanctuary is home to 17 species of native birds, 10 species of native fish, several reptiles and a number of rare plants. The Ecosanctuary pest proof fence and pest monitoring programme provides the largest area of safe habitat in the South Island, vital for the survival of our rare and threatened forest species. The Ecosanctuary has re-introduced South Island (SI) kaka, saddleback, robin, the Otago jewelled gecko and Carex inopinata. Rifleman, fernbirds, kereru, tui and bellbirds are flourishing here. A detailed itinerary is available here. The field trip will examine the restoration process and the conservation of rare species in this nature reserve.Please bring good walking shoes. Departs from the Otago Museum at 9 am and returns by 4.30 pm.
2. Otago Peninsula
In the footsteps of Richdale: New Zealand's seabird capital, and first UNESCO biosphere reserve?
PLEASE NOTE: THIS FIELDTRIP IS NOW FULLY BOOKED
$45 per person (lunch and afternoon tea provided; morning tea at own cost at the Royal Albatross Centre) 22 persons maximum.
Otago Peninsula (9,600ha) is home to several iconic species, notably the royal albatross and yellow-eyed penguin, which form the basis of a multi-million dollar nature-based tourism industry. Pioneering conservation and research work on both species was carried out by Dunedin school teacher Lance Richdale. The field trip will examine the conservation of these species, plus the NZ sealion and jewelled gecko, with visits to reserves and presentations by researchers. The field trip sits within the framework of recent initiatives by the newly formed Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group to begin large scale possum eradication across the peninsula as part of an ambitious ecological restoration project. Neville Peat will present the case for the peninsula as New Zealand's first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and discuss the Richdale Biography Project. Departs from University of Otago at 8 am and returns by 5 pm. A detailed timetable is available here: Detailed Otago Peninsula Timetable.
3. Macraes Flat
Grand and Otago skink management areas
PLEASE NOTE: THIS FIELDTRIP IS NOW FULLY BOOKED
$45 per person (lunch and morning and afternoon tea provided) 98 persons maximum
A field trip to the Macraes Flat area (40 km north of Dunedin) to explore current issues in the management of low altitude tall tussock grasslands and their inhabitants, which include threatened grand and Otago skinks. Local conservation managers will lead small groups of about 10 people, to observe and discuss approaches to ecosystem-scale management and the benefits and difficulties of protecting threatened flora and fauna in tussock grasslands. Techniques to be presented include mammal-proof fencing, extensive predator removal, photographic mark-resight and rock occupancy surveys of skinks, and conservation of rare plant communities. Departs from University of Otago at 8 am and returns by 5 pm.