Bush Reserves of the Tawa Area
The Friends of Tawa Bush Reserves advocates for the conservation of bush remnants generally within the Tawa area of Wellington City.
These includes the bush areas of :
Projects the Friends and the Council are working on include; repairing boundary fencing, signage, track development and maintenance, pest plant control, possum control and tree planting. Initial priorities related to conservation of Larsen Crescent Reserve and animal, pest plant control in Redwood Bush and the development of tracks in Larsen Crescent Reserve and Redwood Bush. Other projects will be undertaken as plans are developed and resources identified.
Larsen Crescent Reserve
Larsen Crescent Reserve is a small reserve located on the footslopes between Larsen Crescent and Peterhouse Street, north of Redwood Bush. It covers an altitudinal range of 70 - 90 metres and is completely surrounded by urban residential development. Its legal description is LOT 1 DP 88116 and LOT 13 DP 27445, part Section 41 Porirua Survey District.
The area had been damaged by the felling of several of its canopy trees in 1996 and only saved from further damage through residential development by a public uprising bringing pressure through the Environment Court which eventually saw the Wellington City Council acquire the land. In 2002 the lower eastern portion was subdivided for residential development and the remaining bush portion retained as a recreation reserve. While the remnant is very small (0.7184 hectare), it is still regarded as a regionally significant remnant site in terms of its age, diversity and species composition and in 2006 further public submission led to its reserve status being upgraded to a conservation area.
Notable specimen trees in the Reserve include impressive stands of Matai and Tawa trees and mature specimens of Totara. Possum control of this area commenced during 2002.
Redwood Bush
Redwood Bush is an irregularly-shaped (c. 10 ha) area of rolling hill country on the western slopes of Tawa generally running above Oriel Avenue to the ridgeline. It covers an altitudinal range of 75 - 140 metres and is bordered by agricultural land (comprising mostly regenerating scrub), pine forest plantation and urban residential development.
|
|
Redwood Bush included in the greening area of the south western slopes of Tawa suburb.
|
The site’s conservation significance is due to the remnant tawa forest, which is uncommon around Wellington, and its regenerating broad-leaved forest with a healthy diversity of species. Possum control of this area commenced during 2002.
Wilf Mexted Scenic Reserve
Wilf Mexted Scenic Reserve comprises a small rectangular shaped gully area (1.6 ha) above Greenacres on the north eastern slopes of Tawa at the junction of Collins Avenue and Woodman Drive. It covers an altitudinal range of 75 - 100 metres and is bordered by agricultural land (pasture and pine plantation), urban commercial development and urban residential development.
The land was donated for a scenic reserve in the 1939 in by early settler Wilf Mexted who recognised the significance of retaining what little remained of the original forest cover of the area for future generations. Wilf was a great lover of trees and one of his favourite sayings was, "plant a tree for unborn eyes to see". In recent times an additional buffer area has been added on the eastern and southern sides from neighbouring subdivision reserve contributions. Possum control of this Wilf Mexted Reserve commenced January 2005.
|
|
Wilf Mexted Scenic Reserve from corner Collins Avenue and Woodman Drive, Tawa.
|
|