Karori Wildlife Sanctuary

Karori Lions are particularly pleased to be associated with the Wildlife Sanctuary that is being developed on the border of our suburb. Not only is the Club itself involved with the Sanctuary, but several Club members are also individual members of the Sanctuary Trust.

This link will take you to a map of the Sanctuary that will open in a separate window to help you locate some of the features mentioned below.

This view shows the lower part of the Sanctuary with the old waterworks outlet control tower by the lower dam, to the left and, on the hill-side opposite, the predator-proof fence is clearly visible.

It is hard to imagine a Lions Club anywhere in the world with a project as exciting as this one. We have a wildlife sanctuary of world-wide importance being developed on our very doorstep and we are just so privileged to be able to help it become a reality. And what's more, we have been given an opportunity to tell all Lions about it on a stand at the coming International Convention in Hawai'i! More on this later...

In December 1999 we were further privileged not only to have our International President Jim Ervin visit Wellington, but also to be able to take him to see the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary. This photograph, taken on that occasion, shows IP Jim with our President Alice McDonald and two Past Presidents Trevor Anders and John Hart.

At our District Convention in March 2000, our Club's support of the Sanctuary became the basis of a District Project. Over the next few months our members secured the agreement of the Sanctuary Trust to our working in part of the Sanctuary not being actively developed in the early stages. With the guidance of Sanctuary staff we shall, first of all, work on the removal of exotic plants and the planting of indigenous species, and begin developing hides and small picnic areas as well as extending the "wetland" areas on part of the margin of the upper reservoir using floating rafts.

As of mid-November, 2000, our activities have been devoted to the removal of broom and Buddleia.

Our "working bee" party of 11 November takes a well-earned rest

Hey, Garth, the Buddleia, not the Pate!!

As work on the District Project progresses, there will be stories and pictures on a KWS Project page of the District web site. It will contain links to accounts of our activities at the Sanctuary, and provide readers with information on how they can be involved too. While you are reading about the Sanctuary, why not visit the Sanctuary's own website - but don't forget to come back!