Ark in the Park (Auckland) Traditional Cache
Ark in the Park (Auckland)
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Related Web Page
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
An easy drive by cache near the Falls Road 'Ark in the Park' Bus Stop Mural.
The Ark in the Park is an eco-restoration project in the Cascades Kauri Park, northern Waitakere Ranges, Auckland. It is a partnership between Forest and Bird and the Auckland Council.
There are no physical barriers between the Ark and the surrounding forest, but the continuous operation of predator control within its boundaries creates a "mainland island” of sanctuary compared to the forest around. Predator control allows the existing flora and fauna to recover. As well as natural recovery, bird species have been reintroduced such as whitehead, North Island robin and the kokako.
Predator control began in 2003 and currently there are approximately 2300 predator controlled hectares where introduced mammalian predators are kept to very low levels. This is achieved by means of a grid of 3800 bait stations, in which a toxic bait is placed to control rats, mice, and possums. The bait stations are placed 50 m apart, on straight lines 100 m apart. The bait is renewed three times a season. There are also cordons of 340 traps to kill mustelids (stoats, weasels, ferrets). In addition, there are monitor tunnels which measure rat and mice levels, and are compared with the levels from tunnels placed outside Ark. Weed control is also carried out by volunteers, both by physical removal and by use of herbicides. Volunteers make the project the success it is. It is estimated the volunteer time that goes into the project to be around 8000 hrs/year.
See http://www.arkinthepark.org.nz/ for more information on volunteering.
Cache is a camouflaged chicken stock container containing log, pencil, and space for the usual goodies. Bring your own pen.
On placement it contained:
* Tui Coin
* T-Rex
* Clothes Peg
* Metal Wire Impossible Puzzle
* Skull Travel Bug
* WA K Team Path Tag
FTF: evilno9 & mel_ramsay
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Oruvaq