Sustainability OF MOUNT LINTON

The native bush on the Station includes beech trees, broadleaf, pitisporum, manuka and others. There is 168ha of retired bush and 410ha of unfenced bush.

The Station has 450ha in plantations of Pinus Radiata, Macrocarpa and Douglas Fir. They range in age from 2 to 34 years. The plantations typically cover areas of hill country that is easily accessible and productive.

A 13.9ha area on the down land area of the Station was retired from grazing in 2004 to preserve its natural characteristics.

An extensive shelterbelt program began in 2005 on the Station. The rolling hill country areas on the Station are exposed to southerly weather conditions and prone to water-logging on particular soil types. In the first year, 52km of belts were planted with various varieties of Eucalyptus trees, to lessen the impact of these environmental factors on stock performance. An ongoing program is in place to maintain and create shelterbelts.

Protecting some of the main waterways on the Station from erosion caused by stock and natural factors has been a priority in particularly susceptible areas. Ten areas totalling 168ha have been fenced off as riparian strips, including one that has been planted with poplars.

In 2003, a 22.5ha area was created into a lake to attract wildlife and support native plantings, which were added in 2004.