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The Open Valley Urban Ecosanctuary Project

Nature in the Neighbourhood

Residents, visitors and volunteers are vital to see this vision through, by taking action in their own backyards and community spaces including: removing invasive weed species, growing and planting native plants, trapping and monitoring introduced mammalian predators, as well as taking part in Citizen Science, the online community and being involved at an organisational level as part of the steering group.

Current Projects include:

Habitat Restoration

Backyard planting and weeding - we have plants available for your backyard!

Community planting and weeding - Lindsay Creek - Riparian habitat restoration

Native Plant Propagation

Lindsay Creek Restoration Plan

We are working towards a long-term plan for the restoration of Lindsay Creek.

Predator Management - Backyard Monitoring and Trapping

With increased community energy for trapping possums and rats, we have been empowered to increase our trapping efforts by bringing on a new team member. Our new Community Trapping Coordinator is available to install and maintain free-to-borrow possum traps and support new and existing backyard trappers on their backyard trapping journey.

Backyard Possum trap Installations

For possums you need a possum trap in a tree. Our Community Trapping Coordinator, can assess your property’s trapping needs, install appropriate traps, and support you in your backyard trapping journey. Backyard possum trapping helps support our beautiful native bird and plant species.

Contact emily@northeastvalley.org if you are interested in hosting a possum trap on your property.

As a prerequisite for trap installation, our Community Trapping Coordinator may ask you a few questions, to ensure the trap can be installed safely on your property (i.e. Is there a suitable tree or fencepost to install the trap?).

Mountains of rat trap boxes, built by the North Dunedin Shed!

Get Involved

We’d love for you to be a part of the Open VUE family!

Volunteer opportunities:

Backyard predator trapping
Volunteer reserve trap line checking
Backyard native tree planting and weeding
Working bees (planting and weeding) at adopted sites
Working bees at native plant propagation nursery
Species monitoring

If you're keen to be involved, please contact by email on: openvue@northeastvalley.org or Emily (trapping specific) on: emily@northeastvalley.org or Phone us on: 03 473 8614, or check out the links below!

What people say...

"Making trap boxes was a good experience for young and old and really made a difference around our place. I thought it was a good idea to have the hui at the end of the project as it allowed all the schools to get together and see what everyone has been learning”

Oscar

"We have loved being involved in Open VUE research, workshops, school education and community hui. Our children enjoyed counting birds and finding what predators visit our garden.
"The mouse/rat trap making workshop was a highlight for kids and in use daily. Open VUE projects have really inspired us as a family to encourage native birds to our garden through planting and bird feed and trapping and minimising predators. Even our cat wears a bright Cat Collar Cover now to reduce her chances of catching birds.
"Thanks Open VUE."

Diane, Bella and Elsie from Opoho

"I enjoyed the nature walk most. It was simply wondrous trekking through the enormous trees of the forest...I love nature walks!"

Marion

Oscar

Diane, Bella and Elsie from Opoho

"I enjoyed the nature walk most. It was simply wondrous trekking through the enormous trees of the forest...I love nature walks!"

Marion

Meet the Dream Team

Because teamwork makes the dream work!

Jennie Wagner-Gorton

Biodiversity Coordinator

As an ecologist and former teacher, Jennie has over 10 years of experience in the environmental field.
"I'm quite passionate about biodiversity conservation and making connections between the environment and the humans who inhabit it."

Emily Peterson

Community Trapping Coordinator

Emily is delivering Predator Free Dunedin's City Sanctuary project within the Lindsay Creek Catchment area.
"Spread the word, we're doing this for our native flora, invertebrates and especially our beautiful native birds"

Eleanor Linscott

“I would love to see increased native species in North East Valley, especially coming from Orokonui”

Phil Seddon

Director of Wildlife Management - University of Otago

"I have a long-term research interest in the conservation of native species and the management of introduced predators. As a Valley resident I am excited by the opportunity to contribute my skills to helping all in the Open VUE community to enhance our biodiverse backyards"

Yolanda van Heezik

Ecologist - University of Otago

“Much of my research in the last 20 years has been about urban green spaces, in particular gardens, the biodiversity they support, and the way people think about the species around them. I see Open VUE as really important for our community and am excited to be a part of it”

James Sutherland

Valley Project Chair and Rural Policy Advisor

"I love the ability to make community change, that is environmentally going to benefit the wellbeing of everyone for future generations. That is what Open VUE does."

Ben Nicholls

Ben is passionate about the conservation of native flora. His focus centres on the eradication of invasive and introduced species.

Check out what is coming up

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