A New Presence

Right now, our website is being loaded with all our information and images – with the plan to go live in the next couple of weeks.

This is a hugely important step for ESFNZ. It’s slow-going growing a network of support without an internet presence, and it’s hard to help people if they haven’t heard of us and can’t ‘google’ us!

The new website marks a transition for ESFNZ into a new phase of work. One where we reach out to people and:

• grab their interest
• get people talking more about species and habitat protection
• share sound information on species and habitat protection
• keep them informed on conservation issues
• inspire donations, sponsors and support.

As a supporter, we invite you to give us your feedback on the website and ideas on what you would like to see. Can you find the information you want?

Check for our website from late October at www.endangeredspecies.org.nz

Determining NZ’s Top 10 Endangered Species

Species under consideration for the ranking of NZ’s most endangered species include some well-known and lesser-known species:

·         Maui’s dolphin

·         South Island long-tailed bat

·         Canterbury mudfish

·         New Zealand sea lion

·         Black-billed gull

·         Hamilton’s frog

·         land snails (including Powelliphanta spp.)

·         moths

·         herbs (including myosotis, linum, lepidiums, hypericums and pimeleas)

·         shrubs (hebe, kaka beak, native broom, olearia)

·         albatrosses

·         shags

·         marine invertebrates

·         freshwater invertebrates

·         fungi

·         beetles

·         gall mite

Lepidium kirkii – ‘Top 10’ contender

Lepidium kirkii habitat   Photo: Mike Thorsen

This tiny relative of the cabbage only inhabits very dry salty clays of Central Otago. What remains of its habitat are tiny scattered sites. In total, Lepidium kirkii occupies an area that would fit in most people's lounge, despite once being common on Central Otago's valley floors.

These tiny remnants are being swamped by weeds, being harvested for their clay, or being over-watered be irrigation systems. Also of concern is the invasive Albugo fungus that has been found in all remaining populations.

Is our decision-making system robust?

Our Advisory Group has developed what we believe is a robust decision-making system for determining NZ’s most endangered species. Email Liz (lsherwood@ihug.co.nz) if you would like a copy of our decision-making system, for interest or to comment on. Let us know if you think we are missing or over-emphasising any factors.

Scientists (mainly from the Department of Conservation) are now providing the Advisory Group with population details and threat information for species that are contenders for NZ’s ten most endangered species.

Contenders were identified using species data from the NZ Threat Classification System. We prioritised species categorised as Nationally Critical (the category closest to extinction), and removed species that are secure outside of NZ. Species are retained that qualified under NZ Threat Classification System Criteria B “Small population (natural or unnatural) with a high ongoing or predicted decline” or Criteria C “Population (irrespective of size or number of sub-populations) with a very high ongoing or predicted decline (> 70%)”, or if there has been a negative change in their category assessment since their previous assessment.

Experts viewing the prioritised list of Nationally Critical species have identified additional Nationally Critical marine invertebrates, freshwater invertebrates and fungi that were missing from the data.

To date, there are 60 species (including sub-species) under consideration for the top ten places. We will soon have enough specific population and threat data for our Advisory Group to apply the final analysis (Step 5 of the Decision System) to a complete and accurate list of most-endangered species.

ESFNZ Receives DOC's Support

Kia ora

I am Liz Sherwood and I am here to support ESFNZ’s Board of Trustees, thanks to a generous grant made by the Stout Trust. My role includes communications, funding and marketing support, and working with the Advisory Board. My passion is conservation advocacy in the written form. My background is science, ecology, weeds, conservation advocacy, working with conservation volunteers, writing and editing. I feel very lucky to be part of this incredible initiative.  

First job

Start writing a regular newsletter to share with our supporters. Here is the first issue: The Rarest of the Rare #1 (PDF)

The Advisory Group’s first job

Now that our Advisory Group has formed, they are working on their first task – to develop a robust decision-making system for determining which species are NZ's most endangered. The resulting list of the top ten 'rarest of the rare' species will be a powerful tool, both to attract media to our official launch in July, and to attract funding to support those species. I’ll get back to you with developments.

ESFNZ receives DOC’s support

Meetings with Lou Sanson (Director-General of Conservation) have been very productive. We now have the practical support of the Department of Conservation. Achieving this milestone is essential for the credibility and strength of our Foundation.

Mike Thorsen and Trustees have also been busy approaching heads of big businesses to secure financial support - with some great successes and progress being made.

NEXT Foundation 

News of the formation of NEXT Foundation is exciting and encouraging because they can invest in large-scale and long-term environmental projects. We now have another potential source of significant funds that we can apply for. Expressions of Interest (pre-application forms) can be submitted in June (www.nextfoundation.org.nz).

Our website (in ‘Phase 1’ form) is almost ready. Thanks to Acumen Republic it is looking fantastic. We can’t wait to share it!