Our Projects
There are many projects running at Silverstream Reserve. They include the planting and maintenance of thousands of native trees, predator control, denitrification trails, biodiversity monitoring, music events and more.
Seed collecting and raising
With an abundance of eco-sourced and remnant native plants now thriving at Silverstream Reserve, the volunteers have begun collecting seeds within the reserve and raising eco-sourced native seedlings to plant around the reserve.
The nursery is managed by neighboring expert grower, Kevin who is helping to protect and bolster the unique plants and habitats found at the reserve.
Million Metres Silverstream
Restoration Project
Since 2006, volunteers from the Silverstream Advisory Group have completed two restoration projects in the reserve.
Altogether we have planted some 9,000 native plants. The reserve is managed by the Waimakariri District Council, with input from the local iwi. The management plan adopted by the District Council in 2009 focuses on restoration and recreation
Predator Control Program
The Silverstream Predator Control Program has been running since June 2019. As of January 2021 over 202 possums have been caught along with 123 rats, 45 hedgehogs, 121 mice, 6 weasels and 4 stoats.
Predator Control helps to protect the native wildlife at Silverstream, and since the beginning of the program the bird life has increased by over a third at the West End of the Reserve.
If you are local and would like to be involved in the Predator Control program get in touch.
Biodiversity Protection
Silverstream Reserve is home to unique dry land wetland habitats and we are dedicated to protecting the biodiversity that lives in these environments.
One of our main focuses is the protection of the native Boulder Copper Butterly, and its host plant Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Creeping Pōhuehue).
Significant patches of this plant survive in both East and West ends of the reserve. Plants of this nature, begin the natural revegetation of an area after disturbance.
Denitrifcation Trial Project
Since 2017, Environmental Science and Research (ESR) have been undergoing a denitrification wall trial project at Silverstream Reserve.
The research is aimed at improving the safety of freshwater and groundwater resources by decreasing nitrate levels. ESR installed a worlds-first 25-metre-long denitrification wall which removes all of the nitrate in the groundwater that passes through it.
First Silverstream plantings
The first restoration planting projects were in the west end of the reserve, upstream of Heywards Road. These were funded by the DOC Community Conservation Fund, Robert C Bruce Trust, Rata Foundation, ECan Immediate Steps and Honda Tree Fund.
Since 2009 over 37,000 natives have been planted by volunteers at Silverstream Reserve.