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Workshop full - what a response, Cambridge! We opened up extra spaces for our free kids’ tunnel box workshop, and you snapped those up too! A big thank you to everyone who registered - we’re thrilled to see so many keen kids ready to get hands-on. We can’t wait to have an exciting day. If you’ve RSVP’d, keep an eye on your inbox, closer to the date, we’ll be in touch with all the final details.

Vounteer Spotlight - We're recognising the contribution of long-time volunteer trapper Barry Christiansen. Originally from Taranaki, Barry developed a love of the bush exploring Taranaki Maunga. His conservation journey began in 2006 when he started controlling pests around the Wrights Bush QEII reserve near his Matangi property. Hundreds of possums and thousands of bait blocks later, the five-hectare bush remnant was thriving. Barry also spent eight years monitoring tracking tunnels on Maungatautari and, for the past four years, has helped maintain the trapping line along Soldiers' Track with fellow volunteer and trustee Berty Salmi. The 17-trap line regularly catches three to four rats per check, while possum numbers are now thankfully much lower. One of the highlights for Barry has been seeing native birds such as tūī and riroriro returning to the area. A Forest & Bird member for more than 45 years, his passion for protecting native flora and fauna remains as strong as ever. Barry was heavily involved in guiding us and demonstrating planting during our inaugural planting day at Te Puna Marama back in June this year. Thank you, Barry, for your dedication and the difference you continue to make in our community.

Did you know that we have a trap line along the Te Awa trail between the Gaslight Theatre and the Velodrome? Thanks to the Heritage funding from the Waipa District Council we were also able to extend and add traps along this line. Additional traps mean more trapping power, and after installation we caught more rats and possums straight away. Thanks to our initial volunteers on the line Will, Todd and new addition Mike who manage this trap line, they have now removed 455 pests from the track since the lines installation. If you live close to the Te Awa trap walk way or even if you just walk this track regularly and would like to make that walk count even more, we would love to hear from you. Get involved with our team, provide additional support and get trapping with our group. We are actively seeking additional support for our volunteers, so if you are keen to support but in a different area, please also do get in touch. To register to volunteer on our Te Awa line or somewhere close to home, contact us via - Connect@arohacambridge.nz or register via our website, link in our bio. Every action by volunteers and the community helps to support our local taiao and wildlife come back and thrive.

Calling all young conservationists! Build it. Take it home. Start trapping. Join us for a FREE hands-on kids workshop where you’ll build your very own tunnel box, then take it home with a trap and some peanut butter to get started with predator trapping at home. This is a fun way to learn how trapping works, with lots of hammering action taking place. We will have examples of wildlife we are supporting to protect through this work as well. Spaces are limited but if we book out we will open more slots, so RSVP as soon as you can. We look forward to seeing you there! When and Where - Wednesday 30 September - 10am Aroha Cambridge Base, 51 Thornton Road FREE - book now via our website - www.arohacambridge.nz/events

Winter finished with a bang! August was our final month of winter and our volunteers finished strongly with 329 pests removed across our Cambridge Traplines. That brings our 2026 year total to 3,218 pests removed. You might be surprised to know that this time last year we were sitting at 1,721 catches, that means we have 1,497 more pests removed so far this year on last! A huge achievement and acknowledge of all the work from our volunteers clearing and sorting our traplines. Now as spring springs into action, so do we. With longer days and warmer weather ahead, we're looking forward to getting stuck into more predator control, restoration, community mahi, with some great connection events coming up. Te hono tangata, te whakaora taiao, mō tō tātou anamata

Ready to make your backyard predator free? Our T-Rex Rat Trap & Tunnel Combo is now available to purchase from Aroha Cambridge. For $20 it’s a simple, effective way to get started with rat control at home, helping protect the native birds and wildlife we all love. With spring just around the corner, now is the time to get set up and ready to go for when these pests are out in force in search of kai. The set includes a T-Rex rat trap and protective tunnel, and a jar of peanut butter to lure them in, plus we’ve put together some handy trapping tips and even a simple blaze mix recipe to help you get the most from your trap. All in one handy location on our website! Head over to the Aroha Cambridge website to grab yours and get trapping. https://arohacambridge.nz/buy Traps are pick up only for collection, from our Aroha Cambridge Base on Thornton Road. Te hono tangata, te whakaora taiao, mō tō tātou anamata

Winter trapping efforts are continuing to make a difference across Cambridge, with another strong month of results from July. One increasing trend we are seeing is the increase in mouse catches. When rat numbers are reduced, local mice often become more noticeable. This is because rats and mice compete for the same food sources, and rats also prey on or displace mice. As rat populations decline, mice have fewer competitors and can temporarily increase because of this. To stay ahead of this we have expanded our trapping programme by adding mouse traps with our existing rat traps in our tunnel boxes throughout the community, hence seeing the increase in mouse catches. By having two traps in our tunnel boxes we are targeting both species together for better catch opportunities. Te hono tangata, te whakaora taiao, mō tō tātou anamata

Moments like this are exactly why Aroha Cambridge exists. This beautiful Kererū was spotted during an early morning walk today near the corner of Alpha and Grey Streets, here in Cambridge. Captured by our co-chair Peter Russell with the slogan - "Kererū quietly contemplating Aroha Cambridge’s next public event." What taonga have you seen on your ventures out and about Cambridge and its surroundings? Let us know and drop a picture in the comments we would love to see! Our next public event on behalf of the Kererū is our Planting and Maintenance day at Te Puna Marama, Moonspring, on Saturday 15th August. We hope to see you there. Register via our website link in our BIO Te hono tangata, te whakaora taiao, mō tō tātou anamata