Cloud forests take their name from their very literal nature. Often taking the form of fog, low-hanging clouds hover around the upper canopy of the forest before condensing onto the leaves of trees and dripping onto the plants below. Orokonui Ecosanctuary lived up to its reputation when 26 club members and friends met there on Thursday 13th April, and enjoyed not just the special misty cloud forest environment, but wonderful hospitality and food from the staff at Horopito café and a warm welcome from General Manager Amanda Symons. Elton Smith, the chief ranger, treated us to an insightful and close to the heart run down on the many challenges of managing a large ecosanctuary to keep it predator free. The object of all their hard work and effort is to provide a safe natural environment for threatened and precious taonga such as the Tuatara, Haast Toeka Kiwi, Takahe, South Island Robin, Kaka and Jewelled Gecko’s and more in the future.The Rotary Club of Dunedin along with the four other Dunedin Rotary clubs (St Kilda Sunrise, Dunedin South, Dunedin Harbour and Dunedin Central), committed to support the ecosanctuary by fundraising $14,140 (the costs of the materials) to construct a new soft release aviary. Its function is to enhance the success of future releases of threatened native species into the Ecosanctuary, in particular, the Tieke South Island Saddleback. For example, the aviary will hold up to 30 birds for a short period of time before their release and this will help to anchor up to 100 new birds, which will improve the birds chances of establishing a successful breeding population within the Ecosanctuary.
Each of the other four local Rotary clubs contributed $1000, Rotary District Grants funded $6000 and our club raised the balance (with $2500 in reserve for signage and plants). A successful "Art Incognito" sale, and sponsorship from generous donors (Polson Higgs, First Choice Roslyn and Ross Dowling Marquet and Griffin, as well as several individual sponsors ), all helped to meet the club’s financial commitment.
