Restoring native environments

To protect the health of the exotic nurse crop and – critically – the growth and development of native species, a comprehensive and professionally-managed pest management programme is vital. Nateva currently invests more than $2 million per annum in the largest private pest management operation in New Zealand. As part of the programme, predator control – to remove animals like rats, stoats, weasels and hedgehogs through humane and effective trapping – not only supports regeneration but also significantly enhances biodiversity in the forest.

One of the keys to native regeneration is the role – and, where required, the management – of the forest canopy and the introduction of light to the forest floor. To support the restoration process, Variable Density Thinning (VDT) and the creation of lightwells are used to manage the forest canopy.

Selecting forests with remanent native seed sources, located close to the site, is important to the regeneration process. To support forest succession, targeted native enrichment planting can also be established within the site as required.  Based on extensive research of each site, its history and the local environment, this targeted native enrichment planting helps reintroduce a range of native species. In particular, the supplementary planting process focuses on slower growing canopy species, which will eventually form an important part of the long-term structure of the restored forest.

Fire mitigation planning starts from the design stage of each forest. As well as ensuring appropriate firebreaks are present, other measures include the identification of water sources, and targeted grazing, thinning and targeted fuel reduction in key areas, and the introduction of low-flammability native species in sensitive areas.