Do your bit for Auckland’s birds

The University is helping community conservation groups to monitor their progress as we all work towards a Predator-Free Auckland - a haven for native birds and other wildlife to abound in our backyards. CatchIT is online software used by community groups to input their data, see engaging visualisations, and watch their efforts contribute to the bigger picture of conservation nationwide.

There are lots of opportunities across Auckland for back-yard trappers to get involved and help bring the birdsong back to their gardens. You can register your interest to volunteer, and we'll pass your details on to them to get in touch.

Here are some of the organisations that work with CatchIT - these groups will give you training and support to set traps on your property or help maintain a trapline on a reserve. There are also some habitat conservation and restoration efforts you can get involved with. The data you input will contribute to the bigger picture.

Forest Bridge Trust

The vision of The Forest Bridge Trust is to create a connected landscape of healthy forest and flourishing indigenous wildlife from the Kaipara Harbour in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east. 

Matuku Link

Matuku Link, bordering the Te Henga wetland, is a large native forest block and wetland in Auckland’s Waitakere River valley towards Bethells/Te Henga. Volunteers are also welcome at their monthly working bee on Sunday 20th of June for a couple of hours of planting the eco-sourced plants they’ve grown in the onsite nursery. Get more info and register!

Pest Free Howick Ward, a Howick Local Board funded project

Encouraging and enabling pest animal and pest plant action, so our native birds, insects and reptiles can thrive in our backyards, and birds can migrate from the Predator Free Treasure Islands through Howick Ward to the Hunua Ranges.

Eastern Bays Songbird

The Eastern Bays Songbird Project is focused on enabling the community to remove pest plants and pest animals to ensure our native flora and fauna thrive in a pest free urban environment. Volunteer opportunities are weeding and planting in a significant valley in Kohimarama and gathering monitoring information for 12 sites throughout the project areas. Help at trap handouts twice a month is also welcomed. 

Te Korowai o Waiheke Trust (Predator Free Waiheke)

Aiming to rid the island of mustelids and rats, to enhance the natural environment of Waiheke and support the archipelago of pest-free islands.

Friends of Whatipū (FOW)

FOW is a volunteer conservation group working to protect and improve the diverse ecosystems and biodiversity at Whatipū. FOW brings together a group of friendly conservation volunteers that are passionate about safeguarding the environment and protecting our seabirds and shorebirds through activities such as beach clean-ups, tree plantings, and eradicating invasive pests. 

Pest Free Kaipātiki Restoration Society

A community-led initiative comprised of over 40 groups and growing and initiated by the Kaipātiki Restoration Network in 2015, the Pest Free Kaipātiki Restoration Society supports residents and volunteer groups working to eliminate the possums that shred our native trees, the rats and other predators that eat native baby birds and eggs and the weeds that strangle native bush. Volunteers monitor and control predators, weeds and kauri dieback in bush reserves and Significant Ecological Areas (SEAs) across Highbury.

Te Ara Awataha

As part of the wider Te Ara Awataha, Kaipātiki Project is working on a community-led restoration of the Jessie Tonar Scout Reserve. This bush-clad reserve at the end of Kākā Street is home to the source of the Awataha Stream and has deep significance to local Mana Whenua. Since March 2019, Te Ara Awataha has been clearing invasive plant species and planting a number of native plants on the site. See their website for more info. Kaipātiki Project also needs gardening volunteers at their Teaching Community Garden site on Monday and Thursday mornings.