On 12 October 2013, members of the Canterbury Botanical Society explored Medbury Scientific Reserve in North Canterbury, followed by a visit to Culverden Scientific Reserve (in a separate NatureWatch project).

Medbury Scientific Reserve is one of the few remaining remnants of dryland kanuka forest on the Canterbury Plains. Unfortunately over half of the vegetation in the reserve was destroyed by an intense fire a few years ago, and it will take many years for the kanuka (and other native plants and animals) to recover. The reserve is also surrounded by intensive dairying, with centre pivot irrigators reaching right to the boundary.

See www.canterburybotanicalsociety.org.nz for more information about Canterbury Botanical Society. less ↑