NEWS & EVENTS A forest takes root
An eco-army of enthusiastic volunteers swung into action wielding spades, digging holes and tending saplings at a mass planting of around 520 native seedlings in the Red Zone on Sunday 19 May. This was one of four carried out during the winter season, resulting in about 2500 native trees planted.
Led by Physics teacher David Newton, College has joined forces with Shirley Boys’ High School, St Margaret’s College, Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, Cathedral Grammar, and the Avon-O ¯ ta ¯ karo Forest Park in an ambitious project to replant 1.5 hectares of the Red Zone in Burwood, Christchurch. Their vision is to create a vibrant city-to-sea native forest park along the river and encourage the return of native birds and other fauna to the area. The Adventure Trail at QEII has also begun to be planted out as a further service to the community. “We want to see more native birds in Christchurch and this is a huge opportunity to plant a forest that runs as a green spine through the city,” says David. “The best thing you can do to encourage native bird life back to the city is to plant
involved by helping out with planting or sponsoring a tree.
trees that become a year-round supply of bird food. The sorts of trees we’re planting were all originally grown in the area.” The seedlings are all eco sourced from the area and the hundreds of juvenile plants – including ribbonwood, kahikatea, totara, five finger, cabbage trees, black matipo, kanuka, manuka, toetoe, flax and windgrass – are first propagated from seed and then nurtured by students in plant nurseries at the participating schools. “It’s a good way to give back to the school and community,” says Year 12 student William Koko. “There’s so much going on with the environment at the moment and this is a good, practical way to help out.” Families and the wider community were invited to get
“Families can come and plant a tree or alternatively they could donate $10 for us to plant it for them” says David. “We are using the trees as a fundraiser to help pay for equipment like wheelbarrows to spread mulch and reduce herbicide use, as well as establishing satellite nurseries in other schools so they can join in and grow their own trees.” David says the project relies on the goodwill and assistance of many people and, in particular, thanks Canterbury Landscape Supplies, Mainland Tanks & Drums, Protranz Earthmoving, EnviroWaste and Tiki Wines, for their support. For more information or to sponsor a tree, go to www.eco-action.co.nz
Christ’s College Canterbury
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