Conservation Activities with Afoot
Afoot is part of the Hawkes Bay Wilding Pines Community Group which is an entity specifically set up with DOC to manage wilding pines in the Kaweka & Ruahine Forest Parks. Initially work began at The Lakes - these twin lakes are named Rotoroa and Rototuna. This is a particularly beautiful and sensitive part of our conservation estate of 98 hectares that we hope to clear completely of wilding pines. The lakes and their surrounds host over 280 native plant species; including several that are uncommon and nationally significant. We have now started control work on Kohinga (Bonny Mary) too. This is part of DOC's plan to shield the Ruahines particularly, but also to control spread within the Kawekas, from wilding pine infestation.
After 19 volunteer and Duke of Edinburgh activity days as at 12th March 2024 we have cleared approximately 14,516 pines with 337 hours volunteer time from The Lakes and 144 pines with 16 hours from Kohinga. We'd love your help to protect this special part of Hawkes Bay. Contact us at wildingpine@afoot.co.nz or find us on Facebook.
Future dates and details of the different activity days are listed below (these are updated regularly). We can also put together a bespoke day for groups that may wish for a specific date.
We do require consent forms prior to participation. Please use the register button on this page. Alternatively, for adults, we will have paper copies of the simple forms on the day.
Future dates
| 9 - 9 May '23 |
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| 12 - 12 Jul '23 |
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| 12 - 12 Jul '23 |
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| 18 - 18 Aug '23 |
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| 1 - 5 Oct '23 |
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| 10 - 10 Nov '23 |
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| 13 - 13 Feb '24 |
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| 12 - 12 Mar '24 |
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| 15 - 16 Mar '24 |
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| 14 - 18 Jul '24 | Gold Residential Conservation Project - Kuripapango, Kawekas - 4 nights (refer DOE page) |
| 15 - 15 Jul '24 | Adult Volunteer Day |
DOE Service Opportunity at Bronze and Silver Award Levels
Students will volunteer to be trained on how to find and clear wilding pines. The area also has a line of traps which will also be checked and logged. This will help control rat, stoat and possum numbers in the area so further protecting flora and fauna.
Search and Destroy !
Price: $45 plus GST per student per trip
Train The Trainers Day with DOC and the HB Wilding Pines Community Group
Join us for a day with DOC learning how to find and to eradicate the wilding pines from this beautiful part of Hawkes Bay.
Alan Lee from DOC Training the Trainers
Price: No charge - volunteer day!
Adult Volunteer Days with the HB Wilding Pines Community Group
Adult Volunteer Days - join a supervised group for a day and help eradicate wilding pines (and enjoy this beautiful area with a walk around the The Lakes and even a swim and a fish).
Wilding Pine Eradication Activity at The Lakes
Price: No charge - volunteer day!
Bronze & Silver DOE Exploration Adventurous Journey
These activities are designed to meet DOE's requirements for an Exploration. They are made available by Afoot in conjunction with Hawkes Bay Wilding Pines Community Group for those students who are unable to complete the physical journeying component of a DOE Expedition.
Kaweka Lakes
Price: Please contact Afoot for more information
Silver & Bronze DOE Service - Paint-a-Hut with FMC/DOC
Join Afoot to help FMC/DOC with the renovation of Waipawa Forks Hut in the Ruahines
Waipawa Forks Hut
Price: $50 plus GST