Carpet for Quail Island

Otamahua/Quail Island has been a popular recreation spot for over 100 years, with its pleasant walks and safe swimming beaches a short distance from Lyttelton by ferry.

In 1998 the Otamahua/Quail Island Restoration Trust was incorporated and, with the Department of Conservation, began the work of eradicating rabbits and pests. Once pest free the island was ready for revegetation. Members of the Trust, with the assistance of thousands of volunteers, have now planted around 40,000 native trees, and aim to restore about a third of the island (30+ hectares) by 2012.

Waste Exchange refers available carpet to the Trust secretary, Alison Ross, who stockpiles it in Lyttelton and then has it ferried to the island (with the assistance of  Lyttelton Port Company tug and pilot boat skippers). There the carpet is cut into squares that are put round newly planted trees. The carpet acts as a weed suppressant, retains moisture and, when it eventually rots, the minerals present will leach into the ground to supply extra fertilizer for the young plants.

	Alison Ross displaying the carpet. The carpet has increased the success rate to almost 100%
	After laying the carpet mulch mat, excess soil, stones & weeds are laid around the edge of the carpet to prevent the wind lifting the carpet.