Wilding Pine

23rd December 2007

To whom it May concern,

The Guardians of the Sounds an incorporated society with a membership made up of local marlb people, Sounds property owners and Sounds users from both around NZ and overseas, we have been actively campaigning for the restoration of the natural Sounds environment for 10 years.

One of the concerns at the top of our list is the issue of wilding pines, they are multiplying at such an alarming rate, that we believe that within 10- 20 yrs the whole Southern side of the sound will become one big pine tree plantation.

We simply cannot sit and wait for the Agencies to act, because by then it will be too late. This is a grass roots from the ground up community initiative , it is about the Sounds community taking ownership .

We endorse and support the efforts of The Marlborough Sounds Restoration Trust, The reports they have had prepared are very thorough , having been prepared by professionals who are the South Islands foremost experts in their fields with excellent local knowledge who are well known to our local DOC and District council agencies .

Guardians will help and support the MSRT in any way possible.

Your Sincerely,

Pete Beech,

Chairman ,Guardians of The Sounds.