Lower Pelorus Dairy & Forestry
On 220 hectares between Canvastown and the Pelorus Bridge, Bruce and Barbara Richmond have fenced waterways, planted wetland and riparian margins, and released dung beetles—but they’re not done yet.
The Richmonds moved to the area in 2001 and started their own project about 15 years ago, fencing and planting around a significant wetland. Today, the property includes 19 hectares of forestry, 20 hectares of regenerated native bush, about 150 hectares for dairy, and too many native seedlings to count.
“When we came here, there were very few pockets of native bush, so we wanted to create areas of significant beauty,” says Barbara, who is also a community trustee for Te Hoiere Kaitiaki Charitable Trust.
Over the years, the Richmonds have hosted several planting days that have included Outward Bound, Fonterra, ANZ, Ravensdown, Forest & Bird, local iwi, neighbours and family, just to name a few. But it wasn’t until catchment condition surveys when the Richmonds learned about the Project and support available to accelerate the freshwater improvements they were already making. Te Hoiere Project has supported some of the more recent work, including weed control, planting and post-planting maintenance.
“We started early, and it certainly has paid off in terms of birdlife,” Bruce says.
What’s next? Weed control is always an ongoing task when establishing native trees, Bruce says. The Project has supported the Richmonds to release dung beetles in four separate lots, with on-farm benefits expected in a few years.
The Richmonds have also fenced off another wetland, over two hectares, which will take another couple of seasons to plant out.
“There are always little areas that we’re progressively looking at,” Bruce says.
Additional Information
Above: First two photos show a before and after of an area planted on the farm in 2017 versus today; the view from SH6 now of first plantings on the property; a planting day in October 2021.
Below: Check out Ministry for the Environment's video on landowner actions in the catchment, featuring the Richmonds in Lower Pelorus, as well as the Morrisons' dungbeetle release in Linkwater.
