For a community group only 18 months old, the Ashburton Forks Catchment Group has plenty to be proud of.

With technologies under exploration and projects started, they’ve come a long way since 2023 when four farmers started yarning about environmental solutions for their back yard. The late Chris Allen was instrumental in forming the group’s vision alongside Richard Wright, Baden Somerville and Sarah Barker.

Accelerating predator control between the forks of the Ashburton River is the latest focus. North Branch farmer Mark McDonald is one of those spearheading the campaign.

Mark has been predator trapping his property for a decade. Being in the catchment group has helped him take more notice of what he’s doing and its impact.

Recently the catchment group received funding from Mayfield Lions, Carrfields and the Ashburton Water Zone Committee for auto traps.

Around $10,000 of funding helped the group purchase 20 traps. (One trap from Carrfields, four from the Lions and 15 funded by the Zone Committee).

Getting in expert advisors, says Mark, was a game changer.

The catchment group invited Tim Exton from DOC Geraldine and Sean Ellis, local trapping legend, to educate members about trapping techniques.

Learning the habits of pests like possums, rats and stoats and adjusting traplines to fit their natural pathways means Mark is more targeted in placement with better results.

Going from older DOC 100 traps to a newer A220 auto model also means trapping continues while he’s away.

Mark recently returned from four days leave to find four rats captured with another two caught soon after.

The next step is to install mobile alerts so members are notified of trapping kills immediately and can share data with others.

Trapping is important to Mark because he’s spent the past decade building biodiversity habitat on farm and protecting birdlife in his wetland and stream corridor motivates him.

After investing in native plants around these waterways, birdsong has grown with Grey Warblers, Silver Eyes and Pukekos regular visitors.

The true measure of success for Mark will come when Tui and Bellbird song fills the area.

The Ashburton Forks Catchment Group’s broad footprint lies in the Ashburton Forks, Staveley, and Alford Forest areas, with a rough boundary of the Rangitata Diversion Race to the west, Thompsons Track to the east, and either side of the North and South Branches of the Ashburton River.

The group has developed an action plan that signals where it wants to get to with environmental improvements.

As of July 2024, the group had removed 3568 pests and predators. With a land area covering approximately 11400ha, that’s roughly an animal every 3.2hectares.

Group members have been monitoring water quality in the river and streams that run through their properties for over a year now with 30-40 samples collected every month. Working closely with the adjacent Foothills and Green Street Catchment Groups is helping these farmers better understand the water quality and biodiversity opportunities for this part of the district.

If you are interested in learning more about the group or want to get involved, please contact Ashburton Forks Catchment Group Facilitator Will Wright on 0275510344.

By Janine Holland

Mid Canterbury Catchment Collective