Ecology New Zealand Ltd

We were delighted to be involved in the design, development and construction of the Te Ara Pekapeka Bridge which was recently unveiled for use to the general public in Kirikiriroa-Hamilton. It's been a pleasure working alongside Hamilton City Council, BBO (Bloxam Burnett & Olliver), NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Waikato-Tainui and HEB Construction to deliver this project. We've been working with the team since the start, doing the mahi for the wildlife and ecology components of the project. Whether that be mokomoko (lizard) surveys, mudfish (waikaka) surveys, or giving design advice on how to create the bridge to be friendly for pekapeka (bats). We've enjoyed being involved in this project from start to finish. It's awesome to see this piece of critical infrastructure open to the public and we can't wait to share some of the other work we've been doing across the motu.

🦎 Exploring the Vaults: Auckland War Memorial Museum and Ecology NZ Team Up to Identify Lizard Collection 🦎 🔍 Our team of ecologists have been deeply engaged in a collaboration with Auckland War Memorial Museum, contributing our expertise to the identification of lizard specimens, guided by our lead herpetologist Simon Chapman. 📚 Why is this work so crucial? By providing accurate identifications, we're establishing a valuable reference for researchers, ensuring they have precise information for their studies. 🔍 Identifying lizards is no simple task; it's a meticulous process that involves examining various factors, from habitat preferences to minute details like scales around the face. Furthermore, the preserving process often strips away colour, adding an extra layer of complexity. 🌳 Our recent focus has been on identifying lizards in the Naultinus genus, commonly known as "green geckos." With nine species in this genus, these geckos are known for their striking green hue, though variations in colour are not uncommon. With slender toes and distinctive blue or mauve mouths, these diurnal lizards thrive in plant-rich environments like forests, shrublands, and alpine herbfields. 🌏 Our team has relished the opportunity to sharpen our taxonomy skills through this endeavour, and we're eager to continue this vital work in collaboration with the Auckland War Memorial Museum. This work is part of our dedication to preserving New Zealand’s biodiversity. #EcologyNZ #Conservation #Biodiversity #Research #Collaboration #LizardIdentification #AucklandWarMemorialMuseum

👏 Duvaucel’s Gecko Translocation Success! 🦎 🦎Our herpetologist Blair Outhwaite, has recently returned from taking part in a ten-year monitoring project on a predator-free island in the Hauraki Gulf, focusing on a translocated population of Duvaucel’s geckos. 🏝 Once widespread across New Zealand's North Island, Duvaucel’s geckos, now inhabit only offshore islands due to human settlement and introduced predators. They favour lowland areas, hiding during the day in tree hollows, under logs, or in rock crevices. 🕷 Active at night, they feed primarily on insects but also consume plant material, nectar, and fruit, occasionally preying on other lizards and shearwater eggs. 🔦 Employing advanced lizard searching techniques including funnel trapping, closed-cell foam cover checks, and nocturnal spotlight searches, Blair and the team found that the translocation was a success with the number of lizards captured greater than the number released. 👶 Moreover, they observed pregnant females and juvenile geckos, a promising sign of successful breeding and population expansion. 📒 This endeavor has equipped Blair with invaluable expertise in lizard monitoring methodologies and conservation practices and we take immense pride in having Blair on our team. #DiscoverEcology #ConservationSuccess #WildlifeMonitoring #TeamWork

🌿🌊 Stream Health Monitoring Update: Preserving Our Waterways 🌊🌿 Our dedicated freshwater ecologists, Dylan Smith and Melanie Vermeulen recently conducted follow-up monitoring of stream health amidst significant earthworks in the upper catchment for a new subdivision project. After baseline sampling last year, our team utilized various survey methods, including water quality sampling, eDNA analysis, habitat assessment, and nighttime fish spotlighting. Survey results reveal that stream health remains similar to baseline conditions, indicating minimal adverse effects from the earthworks. Stay tuned for more updates on our efforts to safeguard freshwater ecosystems! #DiscoverEcology #StreamHealth #EnvironmentalStewardship 🌊🌿

🚁 Elevating Ecology: High-Flying Imagery Using Drone Technology 🛰 Ecology NZ takes our surveying efforts to the skies by harnessing drone technology to capture aerial photography of landscapes. 📸 This imagery can be used to enhance vegetation and habitat mapping by collecting high-resolution and real-time imagery. 🎥 Watch the video (with sound 😉) featuring our ecologists, Melanie Vermeulen and Steve White, who are at the forefront of this transformative approach to ecological surveying. 👀 Follow Ecology NZ to find out what we are up to next!

🚁 Elevating Ecology: High-Flying Imagery Using Drone Technology 🛰 Ecology NZ takes our surveying efforts to the skies by harnessing drone technology to capture aerial photography of landscapes. 📸 This imagery can be used to enhance vegetation and habitat mapping by collecting high-resolution and real-time imagery. 🎥 Watch the video (with sound 😉) featuring our ecologists, Melanie Vermeulen and Steve White, who are at the forefront of this transformative approach to ecological surveying. 👀 Follow Ecology NZ to find out what we are up to next!

🌊 Dive beneath the surface with our team!🐟 Our senior ecologists Dylan Smith and Matthew Moore are busy conducting a multi-day fish salvage in the Waikato🎣. 👀Check out this underwater video of a banded kōkopu they relocated away from the impact site. Banded kōkopu are named for the thin bands across their backs. They are among the six whitebait species navigating between the sea and streams during their lifecycle. They are often found in pools and beneath undercut banks in mid-high altitude streams 🏞 . #FishSalvage #BandedKokopu #WaikatoAdventure

🌟 Celebrating Women and Girls in Science Day at Ecology NZ! 🌍 International Day of Women and Girls in Science is held on February 11th, we honour the remarkable contributions of women in science, including our outstanding team at Ecology NZ. 👏 Meet our incredible women ecologists: 🌿 Kelly Hayhurst, Senior Ecologist: With a deep love and respect for the natural environment, Kelly sees humans as part of the overall ecosystem. Her passion for ecology is driven by the interconnectedness of all living things. 🌿 Sophie Carr, Senior Ecologist: Sophie thrives on influencing development decisions for the benefit of native habitats and species. Engaging with various stakeholders, she enjoys navigating diverse perspectives to enable appropriate development while preserving nature. 🌿 Susannah Graham, Senior Ecologist: Passionate about biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, Susannah connects with professionals worldwide. Her journey spans from the bushveld of Southern Africa to New Zealand, where she inspires positive change. 🌿 Jennifer Gollin, Intermediate Ecologist: Jennifer's fascination with native fauna and flora led her to earn a Masters in Conservation Biology, focusing on native NZ lizards. 🌿 Melanie Vermeulen, Intermediate Ecologist: Melanie employs innovative technology and data analysis to address environmental challenges, channeling her enthusiasm for using state-of-the-art tools to contribute to sustainable solutions. 🌿 Ashlee Cooper, Junior Ecologist: Ashlee's passion for ecology stems from her fascination with intricate ecosystem connections. She is dedicated to contributing to the conservation and sustainable management of our natural environment. 🌿 Elena Miller, Junior Ecologist: Elena loves working in ecology for the awesome opportunities to make a difference outdoors. Her dedication lies in preserving our native species and environment. Check out our amazing women scientists in the field! 👩🔬

🌏 Happy World Wetlands Day from Ecology NZ! 🌿 Today, marks the 1971 adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Wetlands are essential for biodiversity, serving as nurseries, wildlife habitats, and natural water filters. This year, Ecology NZ celebrated World Wetlands Day by visiting Kitewao Street Esplanade Reserve, a Raupō reedland/coastal wetland ecosystem. Check out the photos of our team in action as we uncover the secrets of this wetland ecosystem including mangrove scrub, saltmarsh ribbonwood, coastal tree daisy and cyprus sedgeland. #WetlandsDay #WetlandsConservation #NatureExploration #RamsarConvention #WetlandEducation

🌊 Dive beneath the surface with our team!🐟 Our senior ecologists Dylan Smith and Matthew Moore are busy conducting a multi-day fish salvage in the Waikato🎣. 👀Check out this underwater video of a banded kōkopu they relocated away from the impact site. Banded kōkopu are named for the thin bands across their backs. They are among the six whitebait species navigating between the sea and streams during their lifecycle. They are often found in pools and beneath undercut banks in mid-high altitude streams 🏞 . #FishSalvage #BandedKokopu #WaikatoAdventure