Help with conservation at our eco-sanctuary in Picton/Waikawa, New Zealand

Detalles

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  Descripción

  * we offer 1 week stays,
  Oct 2024: Meet Thurs 16/10 4pm Picton & leave Thurs 24/10 after b'fast, 5 days x 5hrs (25hrs) , 2 days off. 2 of 6 beds left. (Planting & weed control)
  Nov 2024: Meet Wed 30/10 4pm Picton, and leave 5/11 after b'fast. 2 of 6 beds left. Carpentry/solar install skills welcome. Weed control/garden maintenance/nursery/some planting.
  Jan 2025: Meet Wed 15/1 4pm Picton and leave Tues 21/1 after b'fast. 4 of 6 beds left. (Weed control/nursery/garden work)
  March 2025: Meet Sun 2/3 and leave 8/3 after breakfast. 3 of 6 beds left.. (Weed control/nursery/planting)
  Suits gluten-able lacto-ovo vegetarians/vegans interested in unique aspects of Conservation in New Zealand.
  
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  Our passion project has grown organically under the guidance of Nige & Mish. Nige has been involved in NZ conservation for 40 years and Mish is 3rd generation nursery grower. Our nature restoration covers this stunning 200 hectare Significant Natural Area at the head of Boons Valley, Waikawa, (10mins from Picton) on the South Island. The land is full of many natural treasures including rivers, old forests, waterfalls, endangered precious beetles, snails & plants. As such our conservation practices are guided by Biodiversity professionals in our region including Marlborough District Council and Dept of Conservation.
  
  Our outdoor conservation tasks suit nature loving, conservation focused workawayers with a positive can-do spirit and physical stamina, and photos on your profile. NB: If you are injured or unable to work outside for 5hrs, this workaway is not a fit. If you are a carpenter/builder/solar installer, please reach out anytime.
  
  Our 400-year mission is to recreate an ancient, natural, wonderland that our ancestors use to know. In restoring this precious whenua that includes Te Maunga o Pirpiri, the sacred mountain of mana whenua in this area, Te Ātiawa o te Waka-a-Maui. We are seeking to achieve three major legacy benefits:
  
  1. Enrich a rich wildlife corridor from the two highest mountains in Picton (Te Maunga o Piripiri and Mt. McCormick/Te Maunga o PiriPiri Te Hautapu), past Waikawa Marae, to the sea including Kaipupu Sanctuary.
  2. To bring People and Nature together so both can rejuvenate
  3. Amplify the conservation actions in Marlborough
  
  Our conservation activities occur alongside our working life. Volunteers have the opportunity to experience numerous activities (depending on season, our needs & your interests) from;
  - conservation weeding so native bush can thrive including wilding pine removal 95% hand-pulling, 5%. cut & paste chemical
  - micro-sanctuary planting to speed up biodiversity & weed management
  - propagating eco-sourced plants using local potting mix with fertiliser
  - predator trapping through the forest (rats, mice, stoats, possums, feral cats) to save NZ species
  - trapline building - without access trails, NZ forests die from predator browsing. Our access paths cover 0.04% of land.
  - building construction activities - retainer walls, path steps, reflection decks/furniture, shed repairs
  - garden maintenance - weeding, weed-eating, lawn-mowing and mulching
  - Builders or workawayers with carpentry skills are welcome.
  - Scientists - we love having new eyes to discover the unique species here - the more we know the more we can protect
  
  We are inclusive, and regularly host family, friends, friends of friends, local community & work colleagues, so there is a large social opportunity to meet a variety of people bringing different experiences, as well as connecting to our workaway community. We often host up to 6 workaways at the same time, which makes for new friendships and lots of interesting conversations. We encourage communication on your topics of interest, and on your conservation ideas and the differences you see here in NZ compared to your own country. We are always learning and growing, and happy to share reasons why we do what we do.
  
  We are a remote off the grid wild environment only 10mins from Picton. There is plenty of free time after 5hrs of workaway mahi, to swim, drive to beach, go hiking and enjoying other experiences off or on the property. Suits singles, friend groups and couples.
  
  nb: For transport logistics, we are 10min drive from Picton - 4hr ferry from Wellington, bus from Blenheim, Christchurch, Nelson or Kaikoura, or fly into Blenheim. We can pick you up from Picton Library (has great wifi).
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  Tipos de ayuda y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  Ayuda en proyectos ecológicos

  Jardinería

  Construcción y bricolaje

  Ayuda doméstica

  Mantenimiento general
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  Objetivos de sostenibilidad de las NU que intenta conseguir este anfitrión

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  ¿Que es esto?
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  Intercambio cultural y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  Learning about conservation and cultural protocol directly from ourselves and from other visitors occur naturally here during meetings & various events hosted.
  
  Learning about environment restoration, food that birds and insects eat, planting for biodiversity, how to propagate from seed and cuttings (season dependent), how to recognise when a seed is mature and should be picked (varies from plant to plant), trapping skills and why we trap to save NZ endemic species & trail building skills.
  
  Meeting many different people from all walks of life - farmers, environmentalists, business entreprenneurs, students trail builders, athletes and family members & local friends and community members to name a few.
  
  Learning the philosophies of being welcoming hosts and good kaitiaki/guardians of whenua/land for generations to come.
  
  Both Nige & Mish are outdoor people. At the moment, most of our activities are based onsite as with 200Ha or 500 acres to restore, we are highly motivated to do as much as we can now, every trap cleared, tree planted, helps to ensure birdsong triples & natural world flourishes. We are positively focused and acknowledge the good things, you will see the positive difference you make while you are here.
  
  The most unique aspect to this property is that the land is magical. There are so many incredibly stunning views. We still have unexplored parts of the property to enjoy - its wild and rugged in parts, and there are also beautiful tamed parts of the land to enjoy resting within. Part of the volunteer experience may include nature practices such as Forest Bathing (time, weather & Mish's work commitments permittting) as Mish is a certified guide and likes to share these practices as a gift for your help here.

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  Ayuda

  Most of our tasks is outdoors supporting conservation practices or garden maintenance hosting conservation groups. You will help with purpose for the environment on any of these (seasonal projects)
  
  Nursery: Mish collects seed, germinates, grows and then we return plants to whenua/land. You are welcome to be part of this process. So far we have grown 30,000 eco-sourced plants. We grow from cuttings and using root hormone. We use locally sourced potting mix for native plants with fertilisation pellets for healthy growth.
  
  Planting for conservation: We will be extensively planting to speed up biodiversity for bird & insect food over March- September. This includes erecting plant protectors and weedmat. We have planted 12,000 shrubs and trees to date, creating a microsanctuary for wildlife corridors.
  
  Weeding for conservation. Whilst weeding doesn't sound very glamourous, it is of high importance in an environmental restoration project, so weeds don't invade pure forests and birds don't spread them. We will be ramping this up over Oct-Mar. It takes around 3 years of weeding, before newly planted native plants crowd weeds out. We mainly hand pull weeds, with minimal use of chemicals for hardy weeds like blackberry, gorse, broome. We cut and paste chemical products on individual plants. We are not an organic project.
  
  Garden Maintenance: We are visited by many community groups including Te Ātiawa Trust, Waikawa Marae, Marlborough District Council, Department of Conservation, Kaipupu Sanctuary, and various scientists in the biology, ecology, freshwater field, schools including Waitohi Kindergarten and government organisations to help support guardianship of Te Taiao as good kaitiaki (guardians). We like to have the common areas looking aesthetically neat - grass mown, banks weeded, mulched. This helps increase the positive vitality/mana of this place. These groups are welcomed here supporting nature connection for wellness, and conservation practices.
  
  Trail building & maintenance - there are 12km of handbuilt trails for plant & non-native animal pest control. Trails are regularly improved with a grubber so paths are easier to walk & complete conservation tasks. If you do trail tasks, it's likely your day will be longer, and you can balance up with a shorter day after that. Without trails, we can't access the forest to protect it from browsing non-native animals like possums & goats.
  
  Hunting/trapping:Nigel culls ungulates (goats) & possums as they heavily browse and cause damage to the native trees and eat all the new seedlings and new shoots on plants. If you are interested and without skills, Nige is willing to share during your time here, although this will be more social for your learning, rather than your workaway mahi.
  
  Non-native animal control: Check and record predator removal (rats, mice, stoats, possums mainly) on the 12km of handbuilt traplines. Nigel spearheads a massive trapline program to support bird & insect life and its working with birdsong quadrupling over the last 4 years with the removal of over 2800 non-indigeneous mammals.. Fitness is a requirement for trapping as the land is steep rising from 100m to 970m. There are 630+ traps on the property. When you are with Nige, anything can happen and it will be an adventurous day. If you are interested in trapping, Nige can share through education outside of the workday. If you know how to trap, or want to trap independently as part of your mahi, let us know as he will educate and show you trails on the weekend, as he works during the week day.
  NB: for sensitives; (note context that Mish has been a vegetarian for 38 years). It is a possibility you may see a dead animal from trapping, mainly possums & rats. It can be uncomfortable. You may not see them every day, but it is likely you will see one possum over your time here. If you are concerned, let us know, so we can support you.
  
  Building - there are endless building projects with retainer walls, improving sheds, nature platforms, safety steps, building sheds and more. We love it when a carpenter/builder/retaining wall builder workawayer visits us.
  
  Your day: we meet for breakfast at 8.15am, and start projects at 9am . If we are going to be in the bush, Mish packs lunch with thermos. After your work day, you are free to explore, and we encourage independence as Nige & Mish continue to work a full day. Each of your accommodation spaces have lovely outdoor tables to spend time there until 7pm meal at main house. Enjoy this peaceful sanctuary and the beautiful environment of Picton and Waikawa - it is a special place.

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  Idiomas hablados

  Inglés: Fluido

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  Alojamiento

  We have 6 beds, 3 x double & 3 single beds around the property in caravan or sleepouts, rustic but warm/insulated and comfortable beds/bedding, all a short walk to the main house. All accommodation is off the grid, bring head torch for evening light.
  
  If you are bringing your small campervan, you will be based at the nursery where it is flat.
  
  Showering is in the main house and you have a separate bathroom to Mish and Nige. This would be shared with any other friends or other workawayers staying. The laundry is shared and you are welcome to use. There are three toilets onsite, one in the house bathroom, one down by the nursery/caravan and a long drop near accommodation.
  
  Meals are eaten with us in the evenings around 7pm. Mish cooks healthy and hearty vegetarian fare (can adjust to vegan). We are a vegetarian kitchen - sorry meat cooking is not an option. Mish cooks for up to 10 people per night as well as working alongside, so time is a considertion. As such we are unable to cater for gluten-free/halal etc as special dietary needs can be logistically challenging with extra time required to make separate meals. If you are still really keen to join us, it could be an option if you buy your own diet special ingredients and supplement the group cooking to support your needs.
  
  Workawayers pitch in washing/cleaning up after the meal and keeping our shared space including bathrooms clean. We operate marae-style on the last morning with everyone pitching in with cleaning bathroom, kitchen, vacuuming and leaving your space as you found it.
  
  We do live off the grid with our own hydro-electricity system with Pelton wheel. If there has been a lot of rain, we sometimes lose power. If this happens we might be glamping for a few days until the river subsides and we can get power up and running again. Life is still comfortable with gas oven, wood heater and back up electricity for basics; all part of the adventure.
  
  We have mobile reception in most part of the property, especially around the house and all toilets. Starlink internet available.

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  Algo más...

  We are 10mins drive from Picton which is the gateway to the Marlborough Sounds. there are so many activities available to enjoy including kayaking, hiking, fishing, conservation volunteering on other projects. There are also many cafes, pubs & various gift, art, and book shops in Picton. A bus can take you to Blenheim where there is a bigger town for shopping & movies. Some visitors push-bike to Picton as an option as well.
  
  As mentioned, we are outdoors people focused on conservation. Our lifestyle is wholesome and outdoors focused on the property. We encourage you to explore outside of your workaway mahi; to get to know the region.
  
  If you have any questions, please ask. We look forward to hearing from you.

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  Un poco más de información

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    Acceso a Internet

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    Acceso a Internet limitado

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    Tenemos animales

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    Somos fumadores

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    Puede alojar familias

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  ¿Cuántos voluntarios puedes hospedar?

  Más de dos

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  Horas esperadas

  We offer 7 day stays, 5 days x 5hrs (25hrs/week) & 2 days off. We usually work alongside you.

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