Len Gillman is a professor of biogeography at AUT and independently advises New Zealand Carbon Farming on regeneration. Len talks to King Country Farmer.
“Len said he is 100% convinced the company would turn exotic forests into native ones over time…
Pines provided a useful canopy for the natives growing up underneath them” he said… “However, NZ Carbon Farming further accelerated this natural process by thinning the pines at about 15 years, creating light wells and planting additional natives among them over time…
…they’re actively involved in accelerating the conversion to native as fast as possible”. As for the company’s forests requiring ongoing maintenance far into the future… “…New Zealand Carbon Farming will work with surrounding land-owners to create zones to keep pests down… I am impressed by the people involved and how committed they are to this.”
SOURCE: King Country Farmer