Places for Penguins
Tarakena Bay
The Wellington Branch of Forest & Bird launched the Places for Penguins project in March 2007 during SeaWeek. The goal of this project is to restore the coastal ecosystem and build nest boxes at Tarakena Bay to provide a safe habitat for the little blue penguin (Eudyptula minor), also known in Maori as Korora. The group plans to enhance the threatened coastal ecosystem at Tarakena Bay by carrying out weed control and planting dune & backdune species which provide habitat for penguins and other native fauna. They also aim to reverse the decline of little blue penguin populations in the Wellington region by educating the public about threats to little blue penguins, such as car strike, marine pollution and uncontrolled dogs.
So far, 2000 plants to recreate penguin habitat and 25 nest boxes have been put in place to be enjoyed by the local penguin residents! To assist Forest & Bird with this project, GW got onboard with Places for Penguins in June 2009 to help fund the restoration work at Tarakena Bay.
http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/projects/places-penguins
There are working bees held throughout the year. During the planting season (May to September), there are regular planting days (usually once a month) which anyone can attend. New members are always welcome!
You can contact the group on the numbers below to volunteer or find out when work is next planned.
Contact information
The group is led by Jenny Lynch ph: 04 801 2766, j.lynch@forestandbird.org.nz
Greater Wellington contact
Shelley Martin, ph: 04 802 0337, shelley.martin@gw.govt.nz