BayTrust is granting $10,000 to aid the restoration of the ecological corridor from Tauranga harbour through the Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park to the Waikato.

This stretch is known as the Kaimai Connection.

Al Fleming on the lookout at the Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park.

Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society central North Island field officer Al Fleming says Kaimai Connection is about creating a haven for native flora and fauna.

'BayTrust's support is fantastic because it builds on grants from the seven Forest and Bird branches in the surrounding area to cover the cost of coordinating the various Kaimai Connection projects.”

The grant will be used to increase pest control activities with a particular focus in the Aongatete Forest where the area of intensive control is set to increase from 250 to 1000 hectares.

Al says it will also be used to plant a number of rare species including native mistletoe and fuchsia.

'A series of studies will also be undertaken into the populations of birds, lizards and kokopu (native fish) in the corridor zone.

'The information will be used to help re-establish viable populations of gecko, kokopu and threatened bird species.”

Also receiving grants from this quarter's funding round, BayTrust awarded the Growing Through Grief organisations in Tauranga and Te Puke $2500 each. This is to go towards its seasons grief and loss programmes.

Other recipients of BayTrust grants include Western Bay of Plenty Life Education Trust ($5000) for educator salaries, Omanu Beach Surf Lifesaving Club ($10,000) for coaching programmes and Youth Development WBOP ($40,000) for operating costs.

Recipients of Baywide grants are the Amputee Society of Waikato/Bay of Plenty Districts ($2000), Cystic Fibrosis Association ($5000), Kidscan Charitable Trust ($3000) and ME/CFS Support Group ($5000).