Source: Auckland Council
Biodiversity-focused volunteer groups from Ponsonby to Pt Chevalier and Maungawhau to Ōwairaka now get support from Urban Ark coordinators thanks to funding support from Albert-Eden Local Board.
Urban Ark coordinator Paul Whitfield and facilitator Phil Simpson hope to work towards expanding the work into other local areas that don’t currently have organised groups.
“The best part of my work is engaging with the community out in the reserves, rock forests and wetlands. If I can get people enthused about native biodiversity and committing to do their part to improve it, then my job is done,” says Paul.
Recently Urban Ark along with have successfully worked to reduce pests in the Mt Eden area as part of the Maungawhau Ecological Halo, and activated over 150 new backyard traps across Pt Chev.
“It’s great to be able to provide support and structure to volunteer groups to add efficiency to their efforts and this way, they can then keep doing what they love,” says Albert-Eden Local Board Chair Lee Corrick.
“Protecting our environment is important to us as a board and each step we take towards enhancing biodiversity in our local area is important,” she says.
If local residents would like to join an existing group or start one of their own, then Paul is more than happy to answer questions or provide more information. Email him at paul@urbanark.nz or call on 021 150 8284.
