Lois Bishop | Individual Environmental Leadership or Action

Lois Bishop is an inspiration to young and old, and has been vital to the restoration of Haumuri/Croydon Bush.
As a member of the Hokonui Tramping Club she has been trapping in Haumuri/Croydon Bush for more than a decade, targeting rats, mustelids and possums, with the group contributing to significant increases in birdlife and biodiversity. Acknowledging her accomplishments, the Hokonui Rūnanga now employ Lois to lead their pest control operations as its community coordinator.
Predators are continuing to be a major problem in and around Haumuri/Croydon Bush, which includes 874ha of native bush and recreational area. Previously only the eastern areas of East Peak walking tracks had been trapped for control. The area is used by the public, the Hokonui Mountain Bike Club, and schools, and is of high significance to Ngāi Tahu.
Lois and the Hokonui Rūnanga are adding more trapping lines and she leads volunteers to assist in the ongoing trapping network. She is building up more volunteers to undertake the work, which needs constant trapping. More AT220 traps are being deployed this spring (with 10 already in operation) to enhance trapping. Game camera monitoring is also active to inform best practice for control.
Lois is a tireless worker helping to improve te taiao (the natural world), contributing to bringing back biodiversity and manu (bird) song throughout the ngāhere (forest).