Weed and pest animal information at fingertips of Rotorua residents

Those who want to learn how to help local flora and fauna will have all the information they need at their fingertips at the upcoming Pest Fest.

The Pest Fest is about pest animals and pest plants, and what is being done to control them on public conservation land and reserves around Lake Okareka and Tarawera.

There will be displays of all the work happening now and the results achieved to date.

The focus is to inform the wider public of what they can do on private land to help reduce
both, and how it fits in with Predator Free NZ 2050.

It is being held on Wednesday April 18, 3pm to 7pm, at the Blue Lake Top 10 Holiday Park.

The Department of Conservation and Bay of Plenty Regional Council will be in attendance to talk to interested people about the various options available for controlling rats, cats, stoats and ferrets to help local biodiversity values.

Staff will also be on hand to discuss ways of dealing with invasive weed species and
what help may be available to land owners.

There will be a display of traps and bait options too.

Mike Goodwin, from Landcare Okareka and Forest and Bird Rotorua branch, says Pest Fest highlights the great things already going on and making people aware of weeds and animal pests on private land.

He says there will be activities for children to participate in and a sausage sizzle too - "Just come along and drop in anytime".

Mike says there seems to be a lot of interest in trapping the likes of rats and stoats on private land.

"We've had a lot of interest from other community groups, who are wanting to start doing things."

He says he's looking forward to the interaction with the general public.

"It's a place for people to gather information and awareness."

Raising awareness and sharing information is important to try and help our biodiversity, he says.

For more about the event contact Mike Goodwin on (07) 362 8865.