NZ Landcare Trust - Ngā Matapopore Whenua’s Post

Creating safe havens for bees is crucial for their survival and the health of ecosystems they support. By committing land to honey bees and implementing practices such as avoiding harmful pesticides, protecting hives from vandalism, and providing diverse pollen and nectar sources, these projects contribute to maintaining bee populations and promoting their well-being. Collaborating with farmers and landowners is essential for the success of such initiatives. In some cases, partnerships with commercial beekeepers can help leverage expertise and resources to establish and maintain safe havens for bees. Additionally, programs like outgrowers initiatives, which involve upskilling farm workers as beekeepers in partnership with landowners, can provide economic opportunities while supporting bee populations. The participation of farmers in these efforts is important, as their support and cooperation are essential for the success of safe haven projects. Their commitment contributes to the preservation of bees and the vital role they play in pollination and ecosystem health. Over the last six years, our efforts have led to the commitment of 5890 hectares of land under this program. This significant land area dedicated to creating safe havens for bees demonstrates a tangible commitment to supporting bee populations and promoting their well-being. Through partnerships with farmers, landowners, and beekeepers, we have been able to establish and maintain these safe havens, ensuring that honey bees have access to a pesticide-free environment with abundant sources of diverse pollen and nectar. We are grateful for the collective effort of all involved in making this accomplishment possible, as it reflects a shared commitment to environmental stewardship and the preservation of vital pollinators. Yes, you will notice we have a new guardian of the bees – check out The Reserves in the Eastern Cape. https://lnkd.in/dR4vAP4W #TheBeeEffect #Reserves #TheEasternCape

Brazil is home to a vast, but overlooked, tropical savanna called the Cerrado. This sprawling patchwork of open grassland and scattered woodlands covers almost a quarter of the country — an area about the size of Greenland — providing habitat for 1,200 mammals, birds and reptiles and 6,000 plant species. Among its remarkable wildlife are giant anteaters, maned wolves, armadillos and brilliantly colored macaws. But today, more than half of the original Cerrado has been cleared for cattle ranching and soy farming, making it one of the fastest disappearing ecosystems on Earth. And only a fraction of the remaining Cerrado is fully protected by the Brazilian government — around 3 percent. In one corner of southwestern Brazil, a project designed by a sustainable timber operator, BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group, and supported by Conservation International, is breathing new life into the savanna.

Pleased to share a new article by Will McCarry on our project in Brazil’s Cerrado, supported by Impact Adviser Conservation International, where restoration of natural forests is integrated with sustainable timber production. The article highlights the amazing biodiversity that we have already observed as restoration and planting have begun on degraded pastureland. From iconic giant anteaters and colorful macaws to elusive jaguars, the resilience and diversity of Cerrado wildlife is breathtaking. “This is only the beginning,” Mark Wishnie said. “Our goal is not just to restore the land, but to set a new standard for what’s possible in sustainable forestry — proving that nature and economic production can thrive together, for the benefit of people, climate and wildlife.” Read the full story and discover how TIG and Conservation International are working together to recover a savanna habitat nearly twice the size of Manhattan, and what this might mean for local biodiversity. https://lnkd.in/gK6kcAfQ #Cerrado #Restoration #Biodiveristy #SustainableForestry #ClimateAction

Did you know that #Ribena blackcurrant farms are biodiversity havens for 15 declining red list bird species? Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I is leveraging #AI technology to reveal a remarkable story of biodiversity across a number of its blackcurrant farms this harvest season. The project – in partnership with the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) South West – reveals the presence of a range of threatened bird species across hedgerows, woodland and grasslands. Analysing the birdsong across these blackcurrant farms, the project is helping to demonstrate how farm stewardship can go hand in hand with wildlife protection as part of SBF GB&I’s broader commitment to improving biodiversity and supporting its growers as they respond to climate change. https://lnkd.in/etwgQNCW #biodiversity #growingforgood #farming

Protecting the Endangered Black Harrier: Together, we can help secure their future! With only 1300 Black Harriers left, this raptor is Southern Africa's most endangered bird of prey. Compared to the 6,000 Black Rhinos, fewer than 1,000 mature breeding Black Harriers remain, making conservation efforts crucial. Our environmental team at #JeffreysBayWindFarm and partners are working to protect this species. You can help by: - Reporting sightings: Share details of Black Harrier sightings (date, time, location) to +27 63 507 5829. This data helps track their movements. - Minimising disturbances: Avoid activities near nesting areas from August to December to protect their ground nests. - Protecting roosts: Minimise disturbances at overnight roost sites to ensure their safety from predators. - Preserving natural fynbos: Avoid clearing natural vegetation crucial for Black Harrier breeding and foraging. - Avoid burning from August–December: Plan burns outside of the breeding season and aim for patchy burns. - Formal protection: Consider securing legal conservation status for important Black Harrier habitats. - Report illegal clearing: Report illegal fynbos clearing to Green Scorpions at 0800 205 005. This programme is part of the wind farm’s #biodiversity efforts to protect priority species like the Black Harrier, Martial Eagle, and African Marsh-Harrier. For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/d9GCnJ7n BirdLife South Africa Dr Rob Simmons Samantha Ralston-Paton NALEDI SHAI Marli Schoeman Greater Kromme Stewardship Kouga Local Municipality (KLM) #conservation #BlackHarrier #avifauna

Backyard beekeeping has become quite popular in Victoria's urban areas, supporting food production and promoting pro-environmental behaviour, meaning people are more likely to take care of the broader environment. Good news! But a caution: European honeybees can pose risks to wild pollinators in our cities through direct competition and indirect habitat reduction. They are not a replacement for wild, native bees, which are essential for maintaining biodiversity in Australia's urban (and regional) ecosystems. There are as many as 2,000 native species in Australia, and these are increasingly threatened by bushfires, land clearing and habitat loss. Lejla Kartal explores the best ways to support *all* of our diverse bee species and protect their important role as pollinators, including in support of agriculture while European honeybees recover from Varroa mite outbreaks. Department of Education, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water #bees #pollinators #biodiversity #varroa #resilience #ecosystemservices https://lnkd.in/ge3bZkzF

For as long as I can remember, sandhill cranes have been migrating to the ranches in Southeastern Oregon. While 75% of the world's Sandhill Cranes gather along the Platte River, a small yet consistent group stops here, in Southeast Oregon. Why? I believe part of the answer lies in the condition of the land itself and what has not been done to the land. Located on the Pacific Flyway, providing more than just a resting point for the birds of kings. Free from synthetic inputs, and bolstered by traditional rangeland grazing practices. Historically not heavily cultivated areas, that vaule grazing rather than tilling has allowed the land to retain its biodiversity. A thriving bug life, both subterranean and on the surface, creates the ideal conditions for the cranes during migration—some even stay all summer. Our valley and many of the ranch areas of the Great Basin have largely, by accident, tindered this self-sustaining cycle. Interestingly, the region also supports another migration—bee companies bring their hives to our pastures after the California almond harvest, relying on this same healthy ecosystem to recharge their colonies. I can't help but see the parallels between bees and sandhill cranes whether they ended up in these places by instinct or human intervention; there is a draw to the vitality of the environment springing from miles of desert. It needs to be recognized, these little pockets dot the West. Remote and away from the celebrated conservation sites that can be reached from the nearest Starbucks drive-through. How and where is conservation happening? I don't think we have it right. Our approach is not inclusive or holistic enough to observe the truths the natural world shows. The bias of what conservation should be versus what it is...is very powerful. The connection between soil health, wildlife, and agriculture can't be overstated. When we focus on nurturing the land rather than depleting it, both agriculture and wildlife can thrive. I'd love to hear from others in the conservation, soil science, and ranching communities—what role does soil health play in sustaining wildlife migrations like this? How are you managing your land to benefit both the ecosystem and your agricultural operations?

How do we promote conservation while ensuring food security, livelihoods and access for local communities? Dr Wiseman Ndlovu, African Wildlife Economy Institute Programmes Manager, presented at the Snare Mitigation Symposium hosted by the Cape Leopard Trust, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South African National Biodiversity Institute, South African National Parks (SANParks), and the Endangered Wildlife Trust yesterday. Dr Ndlovu’s presentation shared valuable insights into developing comprehensive value chains and improving access to legal game meat as potential solutions to the escalating snaring crisis in South Africa. His presentation was based on the following key points: 🔍 Snaring Crisis: Snaring poses a significant threat to biodiversity and agricultural sustainability. Between 2020 and 2022, snares found and removed in South Africa increased by over 200%, leading to alarming declines in wildlife populations, ecosystem disruption, and challenges for conservation efforts. 🌾 Agricultural Context: While snaring is often used as a defensive strategy against crop-raiding animals, it also negatively impacts agriculture by diminishing populations of species vital for pollination and pest control, ultimately reducing crop yields and causing economic losses. 📈 The Need for Balanced Solutions: The challenge lies in developing policies that balance wildlife conservation and community livelihoods, especially in regions where wild meat is a dietary staple. 💡 Proposed Solutions: Dr Ndlovu explored innovative strategies that integrate value chain development and provide better access to legal game meat. These approaches can mitigate snaring by addressing its root causes—poverty and food scarcity—while promoting sustainable practices that benefit both communities and the environment. Today, there will be a panel discussion on these innovative responses to snaring. Join the critical discussions on the future of wildlife conservation, agricultural sustainability, and community development. What's your solution? Let’s work together to find holistic solutions to the snaring crisis! #Conservation #SustainableDevelopment #WildlifeEconomy #ValueChainDevelopment #AgriculturalSustainability #Biodiversity #FoodSecurity #EndangeredWildlifeTrust #CapeLeopardTrust #DFFE #WildlifeFoundation #SnaringCrisis #WildlifeConservation #LegalGameMeat #CommunityLivelihoods

I recently had the privilege of encountering a Plains Wanderer during a monitoring exercise. Once widespread across south-eastern Australia, this critically endangered species is now confined to isolated pockets of remnant habitat in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia. True to its name, the Plains Wanderer roams open plains, typically found in native grasslands and saltbush ecosystems. Historically, monitoring these elusive birds involved nocturnal spotlighting and walking transects through suitable habitat. In recent times the use of acoustic recorders are used to identify areas the Plains Wanderer are utilising. Monitoring this species helps to inform how the Plains Wanderer utilises its habitat. https://lnkd.in/gXgEF2AM The Plains Wanderer is listed as critically endangered in Australia and it is estimated that there are 500 birds remaining in the wild. It faces significant threats, including habitat loss and degradation from agriculture, predation by introduced species, and the impacts of climate change, such as prolonged droughts and flooding. However, there is hope. The Plains Wanderer, which belongs to its own unique taxonomic family, is the focus of a dedicated national recovery team comprised of government bodies, non-government organisations, and private landholders. Key conservation efforts include a collaborative breeding program, as well as protection and management of its remaining habitat. Several zoos across Australia are playing a crucial role in the breeding program, which aims to maintain genetic diversity, provide insurance against extinction, and bolster wild populations through reintroductions. A recent trial release of eight radio-tracked birds is underway, with lessons learned informing future release programs. https://lnkd.in/gkqS8rnZ Private and not-for-profit landholders are also contributing by placing conservation covenants on land where Plains Wanderers have been recorded. These covenants, which remain on the land title in perpetuity, protect the habitat from cultivation and ensure sustainable management practices that will support the species' long-term survival. See "Farmer's sanctuary helps protect critically endangered plains-wanderer - ABC News". I extend my gratitude to everyone involved in the recovery program for the Plains Wanderer. The collaborative efforts of various stakeholders give us hope that we can secure a future for this remarkable species.

Our survey remains open - seeking information about where in the county improvements could be made for nature to recover - so do take the opportunity to take part and complete it. Improvements could be through action to boost or protect natural habitats and biodiversity or initiatives to nurture and protect native wildlife. When you share your thoughts through the survey, you’ll have the opportunity to drop a virtual pin on an online map to identify potential locations for improvements for nature recovery. If you want to let us know about more than one location or area, feel free to complete the survey again to nominate a different area. Do tell us also if there are improvements to habitats near you that are needed and whether you think there should be a particular focus on a species of plantlife or wildlife. Additionally, we’d like to know if there are spaces where you would like to see new habitats created or joined together. The information we collect through the survey is really important to help us prepare Hampshire’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy, which the Government has asked us to do and has funded. The strategy will also cover the areas of Portsmouth and Southampton and in its development, we’ll also be working with Hampshire’s borough, city, district, parish and town councils, as well as the wildlife and farming organisations, national parks and environmental and conservation organisations. Complete the survey here: https://lnkd.in/eEgehAYq