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Photo: Central Otago Wilding Conifer Group
A war is being waged in the back blocks of rural New Zealand - on wilding pines.
Despite the valiant effort of many, many of our famous landscapes are at risk of disappearing.
If left unchecked, over the next fifty years, 1.8 million hectares of the country could be covered in pine.
Paul Oswald, project manager for the Central Otago Wilding Conifer Group, says in the battle for space - conifers will beat out natives every time and fears the invasive species will eventually cover the landscape with a mono culture. Photo: Central Otago Wilding Conifer Group
But with funding dwindling, those on the frontline fear they're already losing hard-fought for ground to the invasive weed.
Pete Oswald project manager of the Central Otago Wilding Control Group joins Nights to discuss the consequences of inaction.