Rewilding In Action

The purpose of Rewilding is to enrich the biodiversity of degraded ecosystems. But what exactly is Rewilding and how does it differ from other biodiversity recovery approaches? In this episode I chat with reintroduction biologist Professor Phil Seddon from Otago University who has examined the Rewilding approach in depth through his academic research. We discuss what makes Rewilding different and how it can contribute to our goals to restore biodiversity in Aotearoa New Zealand. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - http://oar.org.nz

Climate change and biodiversity loss often go hand in hand - but fortunately so do the solutions. In this episode of Rewilding in Action I visit the garden of urban ecologist Professor Yolanda van Heezik from Otago University. We discuss 'Garden Rewilding' particularly in the context of the broader urban landscape, and the value of gardens to reduce extreme flooding events in urban areas. Yolanda explains how and why we should allow our own gardens to become that little bit wilder - for nature’s sake - and ours. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - http://oar.org.nz

04 - Te Ao Maori vision of Rewilding - Could the plaintive calls of Buff Weka once again be heard across the Otago Peninsula? It’s already a special refuge – for breeding penguins like hoiho and kororā, for toroa Northern Royal Albatrosses and tarāpunga Red-billed Gull colonies. In this show I chat with my guests Hoani Langsbury and Tūmai Cassidy about some of the commonalities between their Māori world view, knowledge and vision – and those of Rewilding. They tell me how the values behind Te Ao Māori are guiding ecological restoration on the peninsula particularly as it relates to the possible reintroduction of Buff Weka. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - http://oar.org.nz

It’s easy to take our red-billed gulls tarāpunga for granted or to see them as a nuisance. But we’d miss them if they weren’t around - and so would our coastal ecosystems. On Sept 9th, I came to end of the Otago Peninsula to visit the tarāpunga colony, and to meet my guest Hoani Langsbury. Through the lens of Mātauranga Māori or Māori Knowledge, Hoani explains why Cook’s Scurvy grass is rewilding here – thanks to the gull colony and the ticks that likely build up in the soil beneath the colony. This episode of Rewilding in Action is sponsored by the Otago Peninsula Trust. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - http://oar.org.nz