Help needed to beat boneseed
Another joint weedbusting initiative between the City Council, Department of Conservation and Environment Canterbury is under way to stem the spread of boneseed.
Given the high level of community, volunteer and agency support displayed last year removing boneseed on Cashmere Spur, the Boneseed Busting programme has been extended to Huntsbury Spur this year.
This is an achievable task and will help contain boneseed to large infestations, reducing further outward spread on the Port Hills and towards Banks Peninsula.
Port Hills Ranger Di Carter says now is a good time for residents on Cashmere Spur to follow up on last year’s effort. “Check for boneseed seedlings and pull them out,” she says.
Events
Saturday, 19 August – Volunteers are invited to bust boneseed with staff from CCC, DoC and ECan in upper Huntsbury Ave from 1-3.30pm, followed by a BBQ. To take part, please meet at the top of Huntsbury Ave by Westview Tce wearing work clothes, sturdy footwear, and sunscreen. Please bring saws or loppers if you have them. (postponement day 2 September, check www.weedbusters.org.nz for updates)
Saturday, 26 August – Residents living on Huntsbury Spur between Ramahana Rd and Major Aitken Drive will receive a letter if they have boneseed on their road verge to let them know this will be removed on 26 August (Sat 9 September if postponed due to weather). On the same day, residents who have boneseed on their private properties may remove and treat their boneseed and leave the cut material on the road verge by 10am for collection and mulching.
Saturday, 11 November – Coastal Rangers invite the keen team that has been helping out for so many years to come down to the Spit and pull out unwanted young boneseed. This summer Park Ranger Jason Roberts has had a soft-tracked caterpillar mulcher/mower removing and chipping all parent boneseed and boxthorn plants. This has left open areas which have now been planted with natives but these sites will have hundreds of boneseed seedlings ready to come up. This is where we need your help in removing these young seedlings. All welcome, meet at the Southshore Spit Reserve at the end of Rockinghorse Road at 11am.
- For more info about the 19 and 26 August Huntsbury events, call Di Carter, Port Hills Ranger, on 941 6844 or visit www.weedbusters.org.nz
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