Protecting Our Backyard
Manawatū Community Hub Libraries (MCHL) is supporting local efforts to reduce pest numbers and protect native wildlife in the Manawatū District by providing residents with a free rat traps in exchange for a donation of canned goods.
Working in partnership with Predator Free Feilding, St Joseph’s School, and the Feilding Oroua Rotary Club, residents can receive their rat trap from Te Āhuru Mōwai at 64 Stafford Street, Feilding.
Residents who collect a trap are encouraged to record their results through the “Predator Free Feilding” project on Trap.NZ, as well as share updates on its Facebook page.
Trap.NZ is a free service used across Aotearoa New Zealand to record trapping, baiting, monitoring, and biodiversity outcomes. So far this year, 845,447 predators have been controlled nationwide, including 394,245 rats.
All canned donations are passed to Manchester House Social Services, ensuring the initiative delivers both environmental and social benefits.
Community Hub Libraries Manager Robyn Ballard says, “By making traps available through the Hub, we are enabling our community to contribute to local environmental protection while also supporting our local community.”
Community members can enquire at the MCHL front counter for further information on how to get involved.
An invasive predator whose numbers we are working to reduce to protect native wildlife.
A trap pictured near a local Feilding waterway.