Plants, predators and 'the making of Backyard Biodiversity' - Episodes 9-11
Episode 9: Identifying Backyard Plants
Post your leaf and plant pics here: facebook.com/BackyardBiodiversityTaranaki(external link)
Relevant resources
There are heaps of amazing resources for plants. The key thing is choosing the right resource for your knowledge level. Below we’ve included advice to steer you in the right direction.
- iNaturalist NZ: https://inaturalist.nz/home(external link)
- How to add an observation in iNaturalist NZ (includes step-by-step instructions): https://inaturalist.nz/pages/add-an-observation-nz(external link)
- Weedbusters: https://www.weedbusters.org.nz/(external link)
- Basic leaf shapes and arrangements shown in the video [PDF, 5.8 MB]
- DOC education resource: Experiencing Native Trees in Your Green Space: https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/getting-involved/students-and-teachers/experiencing-native-trees-in-your-green-space.pdf(external link)
Advanced plant identification
- NZ Plant Conservation Network: https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/conservation/training/module-1-plant-life/(external link)
- Nature identification books by Andrew Crowe: https://www.penguin.co.nz/authors/andrew-crowe(external link)
Other plant identification apps
- NZtrees: https://aenz.aut.ac.nz/nz-tree-app(external link)
- PlantSnap: https://www.plantsnap.com/(external link)
Plants to attract birds and lizards
- https://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/conservation-activities/attract-birds-to-your-garden/(external link)
- https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/resources/how-create-lizard-friendly-garden(external link)
- https://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/conservation-activities/attract-lizards-to-your-garden/(external link)
Restoration planting guides for Taranaki:
https://restoretaranaki.nz/resources/(external link)
What to plant to replace removed weeds:
https://www.weedbusters.org.nz/resources/plant-me-instead-booklets/(external link)
Episode 10: Become a Backyard Pest Detective
Post your pest detective photos here: facebook.com/BackyardBiodiversityTaranaki(external link)
Relevant resources
All things trapping:
- Predator Free NZ: Lots of great resources!
https://predatorfreenz.org/(external link) - A practical guide to trapping (Department of Conservation):
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/predator-free-2050/toolkit-predator-free-2050/practical-guide-to-trapping/(external link) - For Taranaki-related trapping advice get in touch with Towards Predator-Free Taranaki (website lists suppliers of $10 rat trap packs):
https://www.trc.govt.nz/environment/working-together/pf-taranaki2050/(external link)
https://www.facebook.com/TowardsPredatorFreeTaranaki/(external link)
Predator Monitoring:
- Pest Detective website: How to identify droppings, footprints and other clues:
https://www.pestdetective.org.nz/(external link) - Wētā droppings:
https://www.pestdetective.org.nz/on-the-case/2018/rat-or-weta-droppings/(external link) - Tracking tunnels: Make your own:
Rotokare Eco-creations – Tracking Tunnels [PDF, 274 KB]
https://www.wildeyes.co.nz/missions/backyard-spy/(external link)
https://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/conservation-activities/become-a-pest-detective/(external link) - Tracking tunnels: Footprint identification:
Rotokare Tracking Tunnel Resource Book [PDF, 1.8 MB]
https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/127472/22_How-to-read-prints-from-tracking-tunnels.pdf(external link) - Chew cards:
Rotokare Chew Card Activity [PDF, 1 MB]
https://predatorfreenz.org/toolkits/community-groups-2/useful-resources/beginners-guide-predator-control/chew-cards/(external link)
https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/151598/Chewcard-interpretation.pdf(external link)
Recording trap catches:
- Using Trap.NZ:
www.trap.nz/help(external link)
Trap.NZ instructions for Taranaki:
https://whttps://www.trc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Environment/PF2050/Trap-NZ-instructions.PDF(external link)
Waitara Taiao:
Episode 11: Making of Backyard Biodiversity
Post what you liked most about Backyard Biodiversity here: facebook.com/BackyardBiodiversityTaranaki(external link)
This is the last episode in this lockdown series.
Resources and videos will remain available here and on the Facebook page and YouTube channel:
https://www.facebook.com/BackyardBiodiversityTaranaki/(external link)
https://www.youtube.com/user/RotokareTrust(external link)