December 2018

Workday reminder, December 15 2018

Travis Wetland Location Map

Travis workday, Saturday December 15 2018, 9 am – 12:30.

Meet at the Education Centre (the old farm
house) near the Beach Rd car park at 9 am.

We will be controlling Convolvulus along the track from the Inwoods Rd entrance to the wetland.

Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

All tools provided.

Afterwards there will be a BBQ lunch provided by the Trust for those who want to stay and celebrate the year’s achievements at the Wetland.

Latest News

Work day Saturday 17 November

Travis workday November 2018

Our workday this month fell on the long Show Day weekend but we still had a good turnout of 17 people. This included a couple of families and a visitor from the US coming along for the first time. We hope they feel inspired to return and help out again.

There was a chilly breeze while we placed about 100 plants near the path to the bird hide through the Millennium Forest. Existing plants in the area were released from the lush spring growth. We all took care to avoid the native stinging nettle (ongaonga) that is thriving under the taller trees.

It had warmed up by morning tea time and we gladly stopped for a drink and Eleanor’s delicious baking. Having a chat on the sunny verandah of the Education Centre rounded off a pleasant morning. Thanks to everyone for coming along and helping enhance Travis Wetland.

Article: Dave Evans, Image: Grahame Bell

QEII Park Master Plan consultation

QEII Park aerial view

The QEII site proposal shows a native forest being developed along the eastern boundary of Travis Wetland on the eastern side of Frosts Rd. This would be an excellent drier habitat corridor for native species moving across the city and be an excellent addition to the biodiversity of the area, including Travis Wetland. It needs positive support because a well-financed group of golfers opposes the proposal and want the old driving range and golf course reinstated. This would limit use of the area by the wider community and there are other golf courses not far away.

The proposed plan shows the area as multi-use with walking riding and adventure trails for the whole community. The adjacent schools would be able to use it and help develop it as well. If the hard earthworks and western paths were brought forward from Stage 5 to Stage 2 the process of voluntary community planting successfully demonstrated at Travis could commence so the trees would be in place when money became available to complete the actual landscaping.

Please put in a supportive submission before 13th Dec if you like the proposed plan, as those promoting the counter proposal are likely to be numerous. You don’t have to make a lengthy submission, simply expressing your support for the proposal will make a positive difference.

The plans and submission documents are available at.

https://www.ccc.govt.nz/the-council/consultations-and-submissions/haveyoursay/show/186

Article: David Newton, Image: CCC

Draft Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor Regeneration Plan

Regenerate Christchurch has put out for comment its draft plan for the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor. You have until 5pm on 19 December to comment. Although the possibility of an eco-sanctuary is mentioned a couple of times in the plan there is no commitment to it. This is even though we understand it was one of the most wished for features from the previous consultation round. If you have a view on the Waitākiri Sanctuary proposal (which includes Travis Wetland) it would be good to make a submission on the draft plan, no matter how brief.

Article: Dave Evans, Image: Regenerate Christchurch

Giant Willow Aphid – latest news

Giant Willow Aphid, Tuberolachnus salignus

In the September 2017 newsletter Denise Ford wrote about the arrival of the Giant Willow Aphid (Tuberolachnus salignus) in Aotearoa/NZ and Travis Wetland. Before you start ducking for cover as these giants swoop at you like magpies they are giants among aphids, but at 5-6mm in length their wings won’t be blotting out the sun any time soon. I won’t repeat what was written in that article but it’s worth reiterating that although grey willow is no asset to Travis Wetland the Giant Willow Aphid is not either. Its excretions attract black mould and wasps. It may also attack native tree species and willow is regarded as a useful tree in some locations. Consequently crown research institute Scion is getting close to confirming that a small parasitic wasp called Pauesia might be a suitable candidate as a biocontrol agent. More information on this and some interesting images can be found in a recent fascinating story on the Radio NZ website.