Open Valley Urban Ecosanctuary

Open Valley Urban Ecosanctuary:

The Open Valley Urban Ecosanctuary Project (Open VUE) is a collaborative project that brings together the community, The Valley Project, Orokonui Ecosanctuary and the University of Otago.

About us:

Building on The Valley Project's holistic connection with the local community and environment; Open VUE and partners seek to revitalise the unique topography of North East Valley as a defined catchment area for Lindsay Creek, as an open urban Ecosanctuary for resident native taonga species and extended home for species dispersing from Orokonui Ecosanctuary, linking to the Dunedin Town Belt. We are delivering this project within North East Valley, Normanby, Ōpoho, Pine Hill, Liberton, Dalmore and Upper Junction suburbs. Within this area we are facilitating the “Backyard Ecosanctuaries” programme to encourage wildlife friendly actions in backyards and community spaces.

Predator Management

Backyard trap installations (possum traps)

We are working with the City Sanctuary project to actively engage with residents to help them get set up with possum traps. We can assess your property’s trapping needs, install appropriate traps and support you in your backyard trapping journey. Backyard possum trapping helps support our beautiful native bird and plant species. As a prerequisite for trap installation, our Community Trapping Coordinator may ask you a few questions, to ensure the trap can be installed safely on your property (i.e. Is there a suitable tree or fence post to install the trap?).

Volunteer opportunities:

How you can get involved

Backyard predator trapping
Volunteer reserve trap line checking
Backyard planting and weeding
Community planting and weeding
Native plant propagation
Species monitoring and mapping (predators, native birds, lizards and invertebrates)
Lindsay Creek River Restoration