Central Otago Ecological Trust
The Central Otago Ecological Trust (COET) was formed in 2005. We currently keep rare lizards in captivity with a view to releasing them into a protected sanctuary near Alexandra (we are at the early stages of development and so have yet to create such a sanctuary). It is worth noting that dryland environments make up 17% of New Zealand’s land area and contain about half of NZ’s threatened flora. However, only 2% is formally protected, and few if any community-funded sanctuaries are located in this environment.
Vision
To provide opportunities for Central Otago communities to be actively involved in conservation; provide ecotourism opportunities; and educate people about the value of dryland ecosystems.
• Our short aim over the next 5 years is to expand public support for the project and raise funds by creating a public facility that will be an all-in-one dryland education, plant propagation, and lizard breeding centre.
• Our long-term aim is to reintroduce Otago skinks (and other threatened lizard species) into the Alexandra basin and to restore a representative example of a dryland ecosystem - we will call this the “Mokomoko Dryland Sanctuary”.
Location
Proposed site for the public facility is the start of the Otago Central Rail Trail on Highway 8 at Clyde. Proposed site for the Mokomoko Dryland Sanctuary is within the Aldinga Conservation Area, 7 km from Alexandra. Applications for permits and consents forthcoming.
Area
The size of the proposed Mokomoko Dryland Sanctuary will be between 25 and 200 ha. Habitat consists of open grassland and shrubland interspersed with craggy outcrops of schist rock. Surrounding views of the nearby Central Otago mountain ranges are spectacular.
Organisations involved
Central Otago Ecological Trust, Department of Conservation (COET is a partner of the Grand and Otago Skink Captive Management Programme), Central Otago District Council, Landcare Research, Alexandra Museum, Alexandra Primary School.
Management history
The Trust was formally launched by the Prime Minister, Helen Clark, in November 2005, in which Otago skinks were returned to the Alexandra basin for the first time in 30 years. A captive population has now been established in Alexandra. Start-up funding has been received from Contact Energy, Transpower Grants, foundation members, and public donations. There has been a huge increase in profile and support for conservation of rare lizards in this dryland environment.
Access
N/A at this stage