Volunteers join the fight to stop wilding conifers in the Mackenzie Basin

In the lead up to winter, Mackenzie Basin locals banded together to stop the spread of wilding conifers across the iconic landscape.

Over 40 people attended the two volunteer days held by Environment Canterbury and Wilding Free Mackenzie.

Volunteers worked with biosecurity professionals on sections of land near Twizel and Tekapo, chopping down young wilding conifers to stop them growing into maturity and producing seeds. 

Environment Canterbury biosecurity advisor for special projects Steven Palmer said the volunteer days provided an important opportunity for locals to get involved with protecting their local environment from the destructive impact of wilding conifers.

“We had a great turn out of people from the area who are passionate about the beautiful Mackenzie Basin.

“Successful events like these highlight the importance of Council and community groups working together to fight serious biosecurity threats in our region,” he said.

Environment Canterbury played a role in setting up Wilding Free Mackenzie in 2015, and continue working collaboratively to deliver the wilding conifer control programme in the Mackenzie Basin.