Our planned June planting day was easily completed, thanks to a good attendance and a sunny day after the Queens Birthday snow storms.
How about: 370 plants into the ground, a social sausage sizzle (courtesy of Greater Wellington), and all away by 1pm!
Whilst Howard, the DUNZ Planting Co-ordinator, didn't count heads, the features that he noticed were: the best ever attendance by our DOC partners, great support by Greater Wellington Regional Council staff, Pirinoa Primary School pupils, teachers and parents out in force (with the children proudly showing their mates where they had worked last year) and a Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre gang who worked really well as always. Forest & Birders, Rotarians and DU stalwarts, including some who drove from Otaki (Ian) and the Hutt Valley (Huia & Karen) were also there. And there was a Bittern at the Stage 1 site on the new water’s edge!!!
Karen commented, "We headed off this morning expecting a half dozen or so people spending all day digging and planting with clean up in the dark … were most impressed by the turnout.” Highlights for Karen: “The kids from the Pirinoa school were a treat … they were very enthusiastic, looking for direction and happy to pitch in … there was a very positive attitude and good behaviour. And the parents and teachers were all in there too. Fab! And a sausage in bread finished off with a cuppa … at lunchtime! It was worth taking the day off work!”
A huge thank you to very one who helped and especially a very large thank you to Howard for all his hard work in getting everything prepared and to Don Bell from GWRC who gave the youngsters a run down on planting best practice!
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Stage 3 was fenced off in April and the tall fescue will be sprayed out in the spring and autumn as part of an experiment on fescue control, critical to newly planted trees getting away to a good start.
Additionally, “There will be release spraying at Stages 1 & 2 in the early spring, but this is to be contracted out unless we get skilled volunteers.” advised Howard.
<< back to News