Want to make a real difference for native wildlife? Adopt a loop!
Rat baiting is one of the most impactful things we do at Te Matuku Bay Scenic Reserve. Rats are a major predator of native birds, lizards and invertebrates — keeping their numbers down gives our wildlife a fighting chance. And we need your help to do it.
Adopt a bait loop
We are looking for volunteers to adopt one of our seven bait loops. Each loop takes a maximum of 3 hours and is baited just 3 times a year — a modest commitment with a significant conservation impact.
You'll need to be:
- Reasonably fit and comfortable on rugged, uneven ground
- Happy carrying a pack (maximum 15kg)
- Confident with basic bush craft and pest plant identification — or keen to learn
We always work in pairs for health and safety reasons. If you don't have a partner, we can match you with another volunteer. We aim to pair people to loops based on fitness and experience.
Bag baits
Three times a year, in advance of each baiting round, we need one or two volunteers to weigh and bag baits. This is an indoor task — no bush required — and a great way to support the programme if the loops themselves aren't for you.
Baiting co-ordinator wanted!
We are looking for someone to take on the role of Baiting Co-ordinator — helping to organise volunteers, schedule baiting rounds, and keep the programme running smoothly. If you have good organisational skills and a passion for conservation, we'd love to hear from you.
