What do Kleenex and Timberlands have in common apart from their Forest Stewardship Council© certification? Not sure? The correct answer is their support for the Wingspan Center and the protection of the New Zealand falcon.
Celebrating 25 years in New Zealand next month, Kleenex® Tissues are investing in new incubation equipment at the Wingspan Centre; they are committed to using only FSC-certified or FSC-controlled pine, including some grown in the Kaingaroa Forest (and they are also providing a new SneezeSafe® Healthy Forests lesson plan designed by Kiwi teachers and free for schools to download at www.sneezesafe.co.nz).
Kleenex® Tissues has teamed up with Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust, the national guardians of Kãrearea (New Zealand Falcon), to bolster conservation efforts to save them. New Zealand’s fastest bird, the Kãrearea is found only in New Zealand. It is a threatened species that numbers fewer than the kiwi. Less than 4000 pairs remain. It is also the bird that features on New Zealand’s green $20 banknote as one of the nation’s taonga.
Kãrearea's highest population density occurs in commercial pine plantations – in particular the Kaingaroa Forest and it is why Timberlands, one of the FSC certified Forest Company in New Zealand, is also supporting the work done by Wingspan.
The reason Kãrearea choose to live in pine forests is that new plantings and mature trees are used by the birds throughout their lives. On one side, the tall mature trees are great vantage points for falcons to watch over their territory, and watch for food to hunt. On the other side, areas where trees have been cut down, waiting for the next generation to grow again, are perfect for falcons to nest in because they have lots of little hiding spots and provide a great place for young falcons to start learning to fly and hunt.
Wingspan works closely with forestry companies who manage and source wood from the FSC-certified pine forests to ensure that the falcons who nest and hunt there are safe. During the nesting season in spring and summer forest workers keep an eye on the falcons, move their machinery away from nest sites, and sometimes help Wingspan to rescue eggs. If eggs or chicks are in danger, these are transported to the intensive care unit at the Wingspan Centre where there are incubators and brooders set up, ready for the arrival of any eggs or chicks that need special assistance. With the help of Kleenex® Tissues, Wingspan has recently been able to upgrade to the latest technology in infant bird care.
Next time you go to Rotorua, learn more about it and stop by the Wingspan Center in Ngongotaha Valley.