Award Nominee

Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust (ATBST) received funds from Lotteries in 2011 to begin a four year programme to control pines in Abel Tasman National Park. The $120,000 project required 30% of the funding to be raised by the ATBST and from in kind contributions from DOC and local businesses. The resulted in an outstanding effort by the ATBST and contractors to achieve the goals as set out in the first year of their plan. Pine are considered to be a significant threat to the coastal landscape of Abel Tasman enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year. This weed control programme attempts to eliminate pines from the park and will take a concerted effort by the Trust, DOC and the community over a long period of time to breaking the coning cycle and lower the risk of pines reestablishing from beyond the park boundaries.

The ATBST deserves some recognition for the huge task it has undertaken and rewarded for its committment to the preservation of the park. The ATBST has a goal to enhance the natural values of the park and to control animal and weed pests. The vision contained in the founding deed says The forests and beaches of Abel Tasman are once again filled with birdsong to awaken and delight visitors.

DOC is a national organisation with national priorities and sadly pine control does not rank currently as a national priority. However the ATBST has taken up the challenge of this local project, by local people for local benefits.

This project is significant in that all of the water taxi companies and kayak operators support the work of the ATBST through a small donation every time a visitor steps onto the foreshore in the park.

The ATBST has a Memorandum of Understanding with DOC and we will continue to work together to protect national park values and to enhance the visitor experience through actively intervening to protect landscape values being undermined by the presence of invasive exotic pines.

The Trust has applied for funds to complete year two of the programme and I have every expectation given what we have seen so far that the ultimate goal of pine eradication is achievable.

The employment of Andrew Macallister as a contractor has been critical to the success of the first year of this project and his work deserve acknowledgement as well. Andrew is also the driving force behind pine control in the Marlborough Sounds where he is chairperson of the trust undertaking work also with the help of Lotteries Commission.