Flight magazine has a copy of The Forest for the Trees, a book by Wayne Bennett, of Forest Flora, to give away.
Wayne says his book explains the benefit of observing natural areas carefully and using this knowledge as a template for restoring forests and wetlands.
He is the co-ordinator for Ecosourced Waikato, a project manager for Waikato Rivercare and is on the committee of Ngaruawahia Action Group.
“Our native plants vary across the country and there is value in retaining this natural diversity.
“If we are to ensure we only plant species that cope well with the conditions and want to minimise weed incursions, we can learn so much from observing what remnants we have left of natural areas,” Wayne says.
“I may be known to some DU members through the taxidermy work I did through the 1980s, 90s and 2000s. I have been restoring forests and wetlands for nearly 40 years and learn best from my mistakes. The book does not gloss over mistakes but takes lessons from them.”
He says there are many books on the identification of native plants but few describing how they grow, what they tolerate and what they are vulnerable to.
“These are things that usually only experience can tell but there is a section discussing the ecology of all of the plants mentioned elsewhere in the book, both native plants and weeds.
“There are many native plants, not well known, that contribute to the welfare of waterfowl. This book is intended to help provide that knowledge.”
You can access a copy online at: www.forestflora.co.nz/Forest_for_trees.html for free but for those who like to have a copy to hold and take with you, hard copies are available from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for $45 including GST postage and packaging. An invoice will be emailed out once the book has been sent.
To go into the draw to win a copy, email the Flight editor at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with “Forest for the trees” in the subject line and provide your name and address in the email