National forest code wins environmental award
The Resource Management Law Association presented their 2009 award for the most outstanding resource management documentation to the Forest Owners environmental chair, Peter Weir, at their annual conference in Wellington earlier this month.
The Environmental Code which was published in 2007 has been adopted by most major forest owners (including City Forests), and their contractors, and is endorsed by the NZ Farm Forestry Association.
A recent survey showed that more than 90 per cent of contractors involved in silviculture, harvesting, roading and earthworks, and agrichemical and fertiliser application, have adopted the Code. The association now plans to develop a system of auditing compliance with the Code, which is expected to form the basis of a planned National Environmental Standard under the RMA. (View the
press release).
The Fish and Game Council have applauded the award, “The Code is an excellent example of audited self management and mandatory environmentally sustainable best practice, and one that Fish & Game challenges all primary producers to emulate.”
100 Years of Dunedin city forestry
In 1906 the first commercial plantation forest seedlings were planted in Ross Creek. Since then the forest estate has steadily expanded to become, what is today, a major asset wholly owned by the Dunedin City Council. In 2006 year we celebrated the 100 anniversary of the city's involvement in forest growing.
After nearly two years of planning and construction, the company's
Wood Processing facility near Milton (about 45km south of Dunedin), was opened in February 2006 by the the Minister of Forests, the Hon. Jim Anderton. The plant produces high quality dried and planed lumber for both the domestic market and for export.
Reassessment of FSC Certification
In 2005 CFL went through a 5 yearly reassessment of FSC Certification. This was followed up by annual surveillances in late 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. All assessments were successful.
The company maintains and is further developing detailed Forest Management Plans for each of our major forest areas. A draft summary Forest Management Plan for the company's forest estate is available at our Dunedin office.
Results of recent environmental monitoring programmes can be found by following this link.
Lake Mahinerangi Picnic Grounds
The
picnic area at Flooden Road on the south side of Lake Mahinerangi is routinely closed during periods of high fire risk. The picnic area on the north side of Lake Mahinerangi is currently closed until further notice due to nearby operations. We apologise for any inconvenience.
CFL periodically produces a newsletter for our staff and contractors highlighting news and items of information and interest about health and safety in forestry. Download the
latest version of this newsletter (requires Adobe Reader).
Stake Holder Registration
The continuing development of City Forests environmental management system has reached a stage where we need to begin consultation with individuals and groups who use our forests. City Forests have recognised that the forest estate has a range of community uses in addition to the main goal of timber production, these uses being as diverse as hunting, walking, Mountain Biking and bird watching.
As each forest has its own pattern of usage and values which are often in conflict, and this issue is being dealt with by developing management plans for each forest.
As the community are the people best suited to providing City Forests with information on how our management effects their enjoyment of the forests, we invite all interested parties to provide us with their
feedback as part of the on-going process of developing these plans. The forest management plans are to include all the ‘non timber’ values of the forest, including environmental values, recreational values, cultural values and visual values as well as the commercial values that need to be maintained and enhanced.
Groups or individuals who would like to receive information relating to how their area of interest will be affected by forest management are asked to register by
completing our feedback form.
New Zealand Falcon – Karearea
The New Zealand Falcon and the Morepork are New Zealands only native birds of prey. The small Falcon population (a 1970s estimate was 3000 pairs) makes the population vulnerable. The main threats to Falcons are from chick predation by stoats and hunting by humans; despite having been protected since 1970. Falcons' extensive ranges of 40-190 km makes estimating population size very difficult.
Falcons are known to inhabit areas of City Forests' estate, principally around rocky outcrops in Tokoiti and Waipori forests.
We maintain a database of Falcon sightings, and the Department of Conservation maintains a nationwide Falcon database.
If anyone sees a Falcon they are asked to contact the Department of Conservation, or if the Falcon is seen in one of our forests please
email us the sighting details or contact us through the
feedback form on this website.
For people who may not have seen a Falcon before some of their distinguishing features are
- Wingspan approximately 45 cm, weight 300-500 g
- Nest on cliff edges or under rock overhangs
- Approximately half the size of a harrier
- Aggressive & vocal
- Will only feed on prey they have killed, unlike harriers
Firewood
We do not offer permits to the public for firewood collection. There are many legal and safety issues to take into account and for these reasons we cannot permit it.
Dunedin Firewood sell firewood from our forests. They are located on Three Mile Hill Road opposite the Taieri lookout (ph. 03 476 3129).
For more information and notices related to the Dunedin area, see the
Dunedin City Council home page.
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