It’s a long way from the Czech Republic to Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve, but Lucie Daniskova feels right at home here as Te Hoiere Bat Recovery Project’s new Predator Control Officer.
The Nelson-based committed conservationist has been in the job for more than a month now and will be leading Forest and Bird’s trapping and monitoring efforts across Rai Valley and Pelorus Bridge, as well as supporting the project’s volunteer team. This is the first time Forest and Bird have funded this permanent full-time role.
Lucie says she always had a passion for nature but growing up in Czech Republic with its modified environment meant she did not have a chance to fully explore this until her travels led her first to Canada and then to New Zealand “in pursuit of a healthy eco-system.”
After falling in love with New Zealand, and later a significant other, Lucie has spent the past several years working here off and on, first for the Department of Conservation on the Paparoa Track and in Takaka as well as a variety of other environment focussed roles including fish passage technician and possum monitoring.
Lucie has hit the ground running and is already underway connecting with the volunteers who are part of Forest and Bird’s pekapeka project. She says she will have a focus on health and safety training, as well as working through the transition required with the trapping regime as more of the exciting AT220 traps are rolled out in the reserve. “I think New Zealand is far ahead of other countries for trapping,” Lucie said.
She is also looking forward to being part of the bat monitoring team when the season starts up again and is looking forward to the opportunity to get on the ground wherever possible. “This job allows me to do the hard mahi, and that’s important so I can see first-hand why I am doing this.”
Welcome to the team, Lucie!
