There were 4 volunteer trips to Motuihe during February involving 113 public volunteers and 28 Trust leader trips. 

Upcoming volunteer dates
Sundays:
March 17 (FULL)
April 21
May 19
June 23
July 21
Aug 18
Sept 15
Oct 20
Nov 17
Dec 8
Mid week:
Thursday 14 March

Fundraising Co-ordinator position
Our Motuihe Project is funded through grants from a number of sources as well as generous donations.  The person who makes grant applications on our behalf is now busy with another role, so we are looking for someone to take over this task.  It is a paid contract role, with flexible hours.  Full training and support will be given.
If you're interested in helping with this critical role, please contact operations@motuihe.org.nz.

Amazing variety of creatures in the von Luckner bush stream
In February a keen team of volunteers from the Massey Ecology Club visited Motuihe to survey our fresh water ecosystems.  Because of the nature of our island, there is little freshwater and even less over the summer months.  But eDNA sampling has revealed lots of life in one of our streams, and the results give an insight into what lives here and often goes unseen.
 
The eDNA results indicate that we have both long- and short-fin eels, Redfin bullies and Banded Kokopu living in the stream, along with other insects and crustaceans.  We are looking into the different ways we can contribute to ensuring these valuable parts of our ecosystem continue to survive.
 
Motuihe checked for Argentine Ants
The DOC ranger on Motuihe, Emma sent me the result of an investigation done by a dog team on the 9th of this month to check for Argentine ants. Apparently no trace of the pests was found. 


New Transport for DOC Ranger
Our ranger, Emma Dunning, has finally received the transport she has been asking for. It is petrol driven and can only take one passenger but can take a load of gear. Previously she only had the ride on mower and the big tractor. Unfortunately for Emma she won't get much benefit from it as she is about to leave us and move to a post in Rotorua. Emma has been a very helpful, knowledgeable and efficient ranger. We will miss her. 



TRIP REPORTS
Friday 16 February Dreamweaver mid week
Kirsty and the Dreamweaver did the heavy lifting for this visit which started as a ‘double header’. The first group of 50 (Baker Tilley, Dentons, Westpac) left pier Z at 8.15 (read 8.25) with the second trip of 25 (actually 7) from Google leaving at 10 (make that 10.30). Colin, Lois and John met us having come out on the DoC Boat.
Lois: Thanks to the team for completing the final 75m Calypso Bay access track and tackling mothplant as well.  Well deserved minutes on Calypso with a welcome swim for some before returning for lunch.  They watched a stingray cruise along close to the shoreline.
Great to see another track ticked off.
Phil S (who led the second wave), Colin, Blessings and Simon ploughed into weeding with an enthusiastic, in places, team down south. The slopes from Ohinerau have fewer woolies and flowering moth thanks to some good work.
John, Elizabeth and Jill S had a team in the nursery.
Numbers meant we could consolidate the whole enterprise and head back in one go on the 2.30 Dreamweaver. A big thank you to all the excellent supervisors given how the day played out. The weather was high summer, our volunteers had a wonderful day, plenty achieved and all arrived back at Z safe and sound.
Simon Sheen


Volunteers clear tracks.

A welcome swim after hot work.

Sunday 18 February Red Boat trip
A small but enthusiastic group of 8 volunteers and 7 Trust leaders had a productive day on the island. Plants were moved in the nursery, weeding and weeding training was carried out and track work completed. A hot day but everyone enjoyed the BBQ that Ian produced. 
Fiona Alexander

Saturday/Sunday 24 and 25 February
Wetapunga and camera card swap teams trip with 7 volunteers organised by Julie Thomson. The wetapunga monitoring team spotlighted on Saturday night and found good evidence that the population released have survived and have had offspring born on the island. 

Thursday 29 February Dreamweaver trip
Now that was a summer day. If the weather wasn’t perfect then it was the next best thing. 59 souls (aurecon, Hawkins, XERO, Westpac and Spark) set out on the Dreamweaver with Jill B, Dave (welcome back), Frances and most welcome newbies Ant and Jude.
Jill and Jude had the nursery volunteers working on weeding and cutting back over hanging vegetation. As the team broke for lunch the nursery was ‘looking pristine’ which justified the charge to the beach for a swim.
Frances, Ant, Dave and Simon led the weeders on a moth pod and wooly scramble. The area just beyond the T junction at the top of the Tieke track got a good thrashing, which it needed given the weed challenge. Again heat, work rate and common sense meant a rapid trek to Ocean beach for a fabulous swim. Time for Frances to lead a beach clean and after a south seas cruise home we all arrived back at Z safe and sound.
Simon SheenThere were 4 volunteer trips to Motuihe during February involving 113 public volunteers and 28 Trust leader trips.