Conservation & Trapping Courses and Workshops

No dates have yet been set for 2018. Links to the papers presented in 2017 are here.

Previous courses

Native birds in braided rivers

The South Island’s braided rivers are home to a disproportionate number of threatened bird species. Regional and district councils, agencies, CWMS zone committees, community groups, and individual volunteers are increasingly becoming involved in managing these birds. BRaid Incorporated, an umbrella organisation established in 2006, works closely with local groups to protect braided river ecosystems.

Many of the species in these riverbeds are endemic and highly specialised for life in braided rivers. Many are also highly threatened. BRaid believes that increased knowledge of these species is an important tool to assist in bringing about improved outcomes for highly threatened river-birds. We offered this course on the management of birds in braided rivers for those involved and interested in river management.

Courses are aimed at staff of regional and district councils, CWMS zone committee members, agencies involved in the management of rivers and individuals and community and recreational groups involved in (or wishing to undertake) protection of birds in braided rivers.

Participant comments: “most worthwhile” and “the course offered far more than I expected” (see Environment Canterbury press release).

Material  covered

• Introduction to the braided river ecosystem
• Overview of the bird fauna of braided rivers
• Threatened bird species in braided rivers – their status, distribution, ecology, and adaptations
• Threats to braided river birds – water abstraction, floods, predators, weeds, commercial and recreational activities, etc.
• Management of threats (what can agencies, community groups and individuals do to mitigate threats) – surveys,predator control, weed management, monitoring, advocacy, etc.
• Surveying, monitoring, recording and reporting material presented in presentations, with adequate time allowed for questions.
• Practical demonstrations:
  • Use of different pest predator trap types, with opportunities for participants to practise setting
  • Riverbed visit to look at birds and their habitat, plus outline of survey and basic river crossing techniques.

Participants in past course were provided with a resource booklet that contained an outline of the course material, useful references, sources of predator control materials, and contacts for further information.

Trapping workshops

• Threatened bird species in braided rivers – their status, distribution, ecology, and adaptations
• Practical demonstrations:
  • Use of different pest predator trap types, with opportunities for participants to practise setting