The Waimakariri Corridor Project was started by Environment Canterbury and began five years ago.
It spans the Selwyn-Waihora and Christchurch-West Melton zones and a number of sub-projects have begun in the district.
One of them being the restoration of Kowahi Sanctuary at West Melton forest.
ECan park ranger Greg Stanley said they will be working hard over the next three years to have a big affect on the space at Thompsons Rd.
“We are establishing several stands of dryland/riparian forest vegetation to act as a seed source and habitat improvement. Two key areas have been planted with 450 plants by West Melton School pupils and
450 by the National Trade Academy South Korean exchange students. Another 2500 by our contractors Keystone Ecology,” he said.
Another reserve is being established and monitored on the river berm to try and enhance an area that is home to an un-described species of dune scarab, Mr Stanley said.
“It would be great to have people visit the site and use the tracks. The clematis paniculata is in flower at the moment and many of the kowhai are still finishing up too. We will continue to do as much enhancement as we can afford at this great site.”
Mr Stanley said there are signs that the project is already improving biodiversity along the river.
“If you really look around, you’ll see two-and-half-year-old native shrubs with five to 10 cocoons attached to them, and you don’t see many cocoons on the willows and poplars growing here.
“The increase in habitat is already being used; we have flax flowers that are attracting populations of bellbirds.”
Other bird species thriving are silvereye, mohua, quail and swamp harrier, Mr Stanley said.
The corridor project is part of the strategy to provide a wildlife corridor from the mountains to the sea, with plantings no more than 2.5km apart.
That means it is close enough for birds to fly between and bring seeds with them from fruit and berries they’ve eaten, to be deposited in droppings which naturally plants more native species, Mr Stanley said.
“If we can get a consistent network of sites spaced at about two-and-a-half kilometres, then we can cross our fingers that that will increase the use by native bird populations, where they can stop, rest, feed and continue.”
