Pest Free Leigh
- Apr 25, 2022
- 1 min read
Pest Free Leigh is a community group seeking to restore biodiversity in our local region by controlling invasive pests.
Leigh is the closest point of mainland New Zealand to Te Hauturu-o-Toi/ Little Barrier Island nature reserve, forming an important first landfall for species dispersing from the island. The local region hosts a wide diversity of native fauna, including a number of threatened species such as kororā (little penguin), kaka, ōi (grey-faced petrel) and ornate skinks.
Since the Pest Free Leigh project launched in October 2020, around half of our local residents have joined the initiative by maintaining a rat trap in their backyard. The group record and map catch rates across our community on a monthly basis, to build a picture of pest hotspots.
As the project develops, Pest Free Leigh plans to increase pest control across the surrounding region, to form a protective network of trapping around our village. The mahi is underway, but there is still plenty to do. Volunteers welcome!
