Project Janszoon has seen a few changes since our Summer Newsletter. We’ve said farewell to Programme Director Bruce Vander Lee, who held the dual role of Director of Operations and Programme Director since April 2017. Bruce achieved much in his tenure in the role, including multiple kākā, pāteke and whio releases, the completion of the Wilding Conifer Control programme and subsequent handover to DOC. He oversaw the trapping of hundreds of predators, the growth of science monitoring and data collection and gave many visiting school students the benefit of his knowledge about conservation in the park.
We welcome Geoff Button into the role of Project Director. Geoff is a local Riwaka resident who has a long-standing connection with the Abel Tasman National Park. Much of his career in conservation has been spent in the top of the South/Te Tauihu, starting out as a walking guide in the park in the early ’90s. He went on to work for DOC as a ranger undertaking ecological restoration and pest management, before moving into adult education, teaching eco-tourism and conservation.
Science Advisor Ruth Bollongino has assumed the role of Director of Operations alongside her science role.
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Read the full newsletter here.
