Environmental invaders in pure clean green New Zealand

Invaders

Crack Willow
Bio Security Website listing is here

Crack Willow image taken 8 Dec 07

Progress Update 2008

We are pleased to report that the Department of Conservation has taken decisive action on removing the willow trees from around Lake Brunner. It has advertised tenders for the removal of trees and has mounted an interim spraying program. It has also negotiated an agreement with local farmers to remove invasive willows from their farms thereby mitigating the risk of further invasion downstream.

This is a very small and very positive beginning in a huge ocean of invasive plants invading this country.

The Department is to be congratulated for this initiative

"The 100% Pure New Zealand brand does establish a level of expectation among potential visitors that New Zealand's natural environment will be clean and well cared for. Government, and our tourism agencies, recognize the importance of the natural environment in fulfilling New Zealand's marketing promise. This creates an incentive for all of New Zealand to take action to ensure we live up to the 100% Pure New Zealand promise."

Damien O'Connor, New Zealand's Minister of Tourism
In reply to us 4 Dec 2007

Crack willow overruns the West Coast

Listed at Biosecurity as an invader of wetlands that takes over native forest Crack Willow is out of control on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. From space on Google you can clearly see the willows around the mouth of the Crooked River on the beautiful Lake Brunner. We have marked the invaders on this map. You will need to zoom in. Move around the map to see more, Native forest is darker but crack willow is lighter green. This invasion is of epic proportions and is taking place throughout the Lakes and Rivers of the West Coast.

View from Earth

This crack willow (light green) is invading ancient Podocarp Forest around Lake Brunner.Soon the native forest will be engulfed and the ancient Kahikatea trees will die.

Crack Willow