Moir Hill Rehabilitation
Planning the transition from pine forestry to native habitat
Client:
Moir Hill Forestry Ltd
Location:
Moir Hill, Warkworth
Services:
Ecological Consultancy / Rehabilitation Design / Native Plant Nursery / Pest Control
Project Overview
Moir Hill is a 330-hectare former forestry block with rural subdivision consent based on implementing 225 hectares of native rehabilitation.
Scrub developed a rehabilitation plan for the transition to a native-dominant ecosystem over 10 years. The work aims to strengthen landscape connections and extend habitat for native wildlife already present in forest remnants.
Project Scale
225 ha
OF NATIVE REHABILITATION PLANNED
50 ha
OF SEA PROPOSED FOR COVENANTING
20,000
NATIVE PLANTS SUPPLIED AND PLANTED
Our role
Scrub supported the project from feasibility and site assessment through consenting, planting and pest control.
· Restoration feasibility and consenting advice
· Drone imagery analysis and field verification
· High-level Rehabilitation Plan preparation
· Resource consent documentation and hearing attendance
· Supply and planting of 20,000 native plants
· Plant and animal pest control
Understanding the site before planning
High-resolution drone imagery and field surveys established the site’s vegetation and physical conditions. Combined with wildlife surveys and assessments, this informed a rehabilitation plan suited to the constraints of a former forestry landscape.
Extending habitat over time
Forest remnants support species including Hochstetter’s frogs, fernbirds, long-tailed bats, native geckos, copper skinks and kauri snails. Planned rehabilitation will extend and connect these habitats. The site has also hosted trials of electronic animal pest tracking and selective pampas control.
