Chain Hills Restoration Project (CHiRP)
The Chain Hills separate the Taieri Plains from Fairfield and Abbotsford and are covered in extensive forest.
The Chain Hills Restoration Project (CHiRP) is a concerted effort by the guardians of this land to improve the health of the forest, providing a habitat for birds and other native wildlife to flourish.
We’re working hard to tackle introduced predators that threaten native wildlife and to ensure there is abundant food for bird life. Our ultimate goal is to relocate South Island robin and rifleman from Orokonui Ecosanctuary.
To achieve this we will need to reduce the abundance of introduced predators like possums, stoats and rats and keep them at low levels.
CHiRP has a network of DOC200 traps across the project area that target mustelids, hedgehogs, and rats. The next step is to implement a possum control plan across the Chain Hills.
Get involved
If you own property along the Chain Hills:
Contact CHiRP for advice regarding predator control on your property.
Bolster your predator control efforts — every bit counts!
Enter your catch data into the Chain Hills Restoration Project on Trap.NZ.
Plant native trees and shrubs that provide food and habitat for native wildlife.
If you live nearby:
Contact CHiRP to adopt a trap line or help out with some monitoring.
Take a walk or bike ride along the Chain Hills and experience the birdlife.
Make a financial contribution to the project that will go towards more traps on the ground.
Key native species: Tūī, korimako/bellbird, kererū, pīwakawaka/fantail
Target predator(s): Possums, rats, mustelids.
Facebook: facebook.com/trapchainhills
Email: chirpdunedin@gmail.com