Mayoral candidate aims for  capital to be “goat, stoat and possum-free”.
 
In Conservation Week, Celia Wade-Brown says Wellington’s biodiversity needs more protection.
 
In ensuring our spectacular biodiversity remains for future generations, we face three main challenges; climate change, inappropriate development and introduced pests. Celia is committed to addressing all three and believes that pest control is the most rapidly achievable.
 
Goats threaten many coastal plant communities and slow down regeneration. Habitat protection is important on private land as well as Council land. “I welcome the Council application to DOC’s biodiversity condition fund to eradicate feral goats on Wellington’s south-west peninsula.”
 
The Miramar peninsula is reputedly possum-free already and control has begun on the areas of Council land near the sanctuary, such as the bush around the Southern Landfill. Possums eat baby birds and eggs as well as destroying plants like rata and tree fuchsia.
 
The success of Zealandia and the Zoo in breeding and releasing kaka and returning many other species to Wellington will be limited if as soon as birds breed beyond the sanctuary, they are at risk.
 
Otari-Wilton’s bush is a reservoir of original Wellington biodiversity. With the outer green belt almost complete, the opportunity to restore the forests of Wellington is within our reach. Partnership between Councils, conservation groups and landowners is necessary to enhance Wellington’s biodiversity.
 
“Together we can make Wellington goat, stoat and possum-free. This would be a fitting commitment to end the International Year of Biodiversity. Swift and effective eradication will be cheaper than fighting an ongoing battle ” says Celia Wade-Brown.
 
 “If elected, I would like to add the fur of the last possum in Wellington to the mayoral robes at the end of my first term”
 
Celia will be speaking at Forest & Bird’s “Vote for the Environment” Mayoral Debate at St John’s Conference Centre, Willis Street tonight, Tuesday 14th September at 7:30.

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