The National Wetland Trust is inviting the community to join them for a celebratory family fun day on Sunday afternoon, 9th of November at the Rotopiko Wetland Reserve near Ohaupo.
The Trust and local volunteers have spent months planting, weeding, track-building and eradicating all mammalian pests from within the special pest fence at Rotopiko Reserve off SH3 just south of Ohaupo.
The aim is to create a safe breeding site for native wildlife at the reserve, as part of the plans to create a wetland education centre there.
The pest-fence protects one of the Waikato's best peat lakes, a magnificent kahikatea stand and a rare giant cane rush peatland.
The fence gates have been locked since August while rat bait was hand spread within the fence. Now the pest control work is done, and the Trust is inviting the public and all its supporters to pack up the family, a picnic rug and food to come and celebrate.
The gates will open at noon on November the 9th. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy and in the afternoon take a guided walk or explore the site at your leisure. A family-quiz and rat hunt will add to the fun.
The Trust wishes to thank our volunteers, funders, and the public for their patience while the reserve has been closed.
The project is supported by Waipa District Council, the Waikato River Clean-Up Trust, Waikato Catchment Ecological Enhancement Trust and many others.
Rotopiko Reserve is off SH3, about 3km south of Ohaupo. Left hand turn into the reserve only.
For more information contact Laura at MeineckeL@landcareresearch.co.nz OR Shonagh Lindsay at shonagh.lindsay@xtra.co.nz
