What we do
Our aim is to maintain an ‘open sanctuary’ for the protection and enhancement of the indigenous flora and fauna of the area. We monitor and protect the saltmarsh itself.
We have a restoration planting zone alongside the river which is intended to improve the habitat for wildlife, in particular birds and lizards. We do bird surveys four times per year.
Volunteers are needed for all these activities as well as to help us with watering, weeding and general maintenance of the restoration zone.
Access is from the Ferrymead Golf Club carpark.
Contact
Lizard Sanctuary images over time
Click image to enlarge
2020
2025
Who are we?
Calder Green Reserve (formerly known as Devil’s Elbow) is a small triangular-shaped saltmarsh on the lower Heathcote/Opawaho river which was gifted to Forest and Bird by Mrs H.G. Green in the 1970s.
Bernie Calder, a former Chair of the North Canterbury branch, is also honoured in the name because of the role he played in its acquisition.
Location
Lizard Sanctuary
The Calder Green Reserve [CGR] is a river estuarine area with limited terrestrial riparian area. A Lizard Sanctuary Area was proposed to be etablished on adjacent Ferrymead Regional Park land which had previously been mowed. Some earlier plantings on the CGR terrestrial riparian area had struggled due to the impact of pine trees sucking moisture from the ground and limiting the area for native plantings. Thankfully, these pines became mulch in July 2024.
Stage 1 of the Heathcote / Ōpāwaho Lizard Sanctuary project started officially in May 2018 with a Memorandum of Understanding: “Heathcote / Opawaho Lizard Sanctuary”, between the folllowing parties: North Canterbury branch of Forest & Bird Protection Society of NZ and Coastal & Plains Unit, Regional Parks, Christchurch City Council. For the North Canterbury F&B committee, Colleen Philips, then Chairperson of North Canterbury F&B and Mick Ingram, the F&B Calder Green Reserve Manager, were principally involved.
The project required piles of river stones for lizards to bask on or brumate under for winter and for hiding from predators; mulch around plantings; lizard-friendly plants that provide shelter and food; signage to inform members of the public on the special attributes of the area, and what they can do to encourage lizards in their own backyard.
Funding was an issue as the CCC Regional Parks were still in the post-quake mode of bare-bone budgets and were unable to undertake projects. F&B North Canterbury contributed materials and plant costs. Volunteers were mustered and the plan become a reality.
Stage 2 of the Lizard Sanctuary eventuated and the CCC was able to get funding for all of Stage 2 materials and plants from the ‘Better Off Community’ grant funding. The project was all ready to start planting when it was hit by the Covid lockdowns. so the 2nd stage of the project was completed over the years 2021 to 2025.
Overall, there was excellent support by all CCC rangers and staff who helped make this project a reality.