Our project assesses the value of the Silverstream Spur in Upper Hutt, New Zealand as an ecological corridor for native birds. We surveyed local residents to assess their relationship to their environment and conducted interviews with ecology experts, developers, and government officials to understand the motivations for and against the development of the Silverstream Spur. We found that only certain birds would utilize the Spur’s corridor function, but all could benefit from larger habitat area and predator control.
Using surveys, we found residents have overall positive attitudes towards conservation, the land, and the region’s native birds. Any future development on the Spur would warrant a complex legal process that allows the opportunity to incorporate the proposed ecological corridor.

Student Team

• Shravani Balaji
• Emily Hammer
• Allison Ross
• Charles Sanderson

Sponsor

Forest & Bird Upper Hutt and Victoria University

Advisors

• Professor Constance Clark
• Professor Joshua Rosenstock