CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

On behalf of the WCG we would to wish all our supporters all the very best for

the Christmas period and the New Year celebrations.

The year just finishing has been a good year for WCG with good progress being

made on a number of fronts. However we are always mindful of the fact that the

WCG is underpinned by the voluntary efforts of a very large and increasing

number of people. To all our volunteers in various capacities we would like to

acknowledge this good work as we enter Christmas and say a very sincere

thank you for all of your multiple efforts over the year just finishing.

We also would like to thank and acknowledge all of those staff employed

directly and indirectly QLDC and DOC who have worked on the Wilding Pines

project over the year. Many times the efforts have been “above and beyond”

and we are hugely appreciative of the passion and hard work that has so often

been evident.

So as we shut down for Christmas we take the opportunity to wish all of you

that have been involved over the last year all the very best to both you and your

families for the Christmas break and we look forward to another successful year

in 2019

Thank you again and have a good Christmas

Dick Hubbard

QUEENSTOWN HILL VOLUNTEER DAY

The Volunteer Day on Queenstown Hill on 1st December was attended by 15

volunteers with thousands of wildings dealt to. There was a great turnout of the

WCG Executive, WCG-funded DOC staff and other wonderful volunteers.

New equipment purchased for the WCG by the QE II Trust was used.

Thanks to everyone involved a large area was cleared above the basket of

dreams, see the before and after photos below.......

Keep an eye out for volunteer dates in the New Year.

VOLUNTEER GUIDE FOR CUTTING

CONIFERS The wilding conifers cutting guide for volunteers has been updated. This information sheet details how to kill a wilding. This guide will be made available on the WCG website.

WCG BOOM PROGRAM

The WCG boom spray program is now underway with the first operation

completed behind Arrowtown on the 7th December.

The DOC crew have been working in Skippers and will now take a well-

deserved break before starting up again in Mid-January.

The following locations are still to be targeted:

• Kawarau - Gorge, Roaring Meg

• Queenstown Area - Queenstown Hill, Ben Lomond

• Arthurs Point - Bowen Peak, McChesney

NATIONAL WILDING CONIFER CONTROL

ANNUAL REPORT

Wilding conifers are New Zealand’s No. 1 weed. They already affect six percent

of New Zealand and are spreading exponentially.

In three years, the Programme has treated over half a million hectares of

wilding conifers and searched the surrounding land for remote, outlier

trees. Most of these infestations were still in their early stages, so were highly

cost-effective.

The Annual report details the project achievements.

http://www.wildingconifers.org.nz/assets/news/12062-Wilding-Conifers-AR-

2018-FINAL-v2.pdf

The National Wilding Conifer Control Programme:

The programme is led by the Ministry for Primary Industries and is supported by

the Department of Conservation, Land Information New Zealand, NZ Defence

Force, NZ Transport Agency, local government, forestry and farming industries,

iwi groups, landowners, researchers and community organisations.

PROFILE ON WCG EXECUTIVE MEMBER

BRYAN HUTCHINS

Bryan has a passion for conservation. Bryan was CEO of Real Journeys for

over 25 years and retired from the position in 2002, he remains a Director of

Real Journeys Limited. .

Bryan’s interests include sailing, he and his wife Penny have travelled the

world over the last six years.