RMLA Technical Documentation Award for Ecological Connectivity Strategies

The Award recognises technical documentation which makes a significant contribution to the development of the practice of resource management and/or exhibits innovation and excellence in the technical approach(es) used.

Boffa Miskell, in conjunction with our client Auckland Council, developed Ecological Connectivity Strategies (ECS) for two local council boards in the Auckland region: Upper Harbour and Rodney East.

Biosecurity consultant Kate Heaphy, GIS specialist Sandeep Gangar, and ecologist Dr Ian Boothroyd comprised the Boffa Miskell project team.

In announcing the award, Alan Webb, Barrister and Convenor of the 2021 Awards Committee, described the Ecological Connectivity Strategies as “an excellent piece of work” and noted that, “This is an issue that needs to be constantly front-of mind and addressed as any project or planning process goes through.”

These Strategies provide a starting point to guide and communicate conservation efforts in each Local Board area, and are intended to contribute a local level of information to further inform Auckland Council’s Tiaki Tāmaki Makaurau / Conservation Auckland website.

Both strategies are broadly similar, and from the outset, both were designed, developed and published as online StoryMaps.

The interactive StoryMap platform provides a novel and interactive environmental management tool that helps to engage a wider audience that may not necessarily interact with conservation strategies normally; and thus increases the environmental literacy of the wider community.

Community groups and decision-makers can use these maps and accompanying information for identifying priority habitats for conservation action, and help support funding applications by incorporating and community a landscape-scale objective. The use of StoryMaps has helped make the entire strategy accessible to all the communities within each of the Local Board areas.

It can also be used to demonstrate to stakeholders, and potential funders how their actions benefit biodiversity as part of a much larger landscape-scale effort to gain both support and funding.

Improving ecological connectivity increases ecosystem function and resilience; it helps protect biodiversity and mitigate impacts from climate change and other pressures on our ecosystems.

Find out more

Ecological Connectivity Strategies

For further information please contact Sandeep Gangar or Dr. Ian Boothroyd