The final touches are going on Aotea / Great Barrier's new community native plant nursery this week ahead of its grand opening on August 31.
The nursery is a key outcome of the board’s Ecology Vision consultation with the community.
The nursery was inspired by local residents' passion for planting food for birds and supporting locally-sourced seeds and seedlings.
It will also help reduce native plants being imported onto the island which pose a biosecurity risk.
The Ecology Vision’s aim is community-led management of the island’s unique natural environment.
It empowers the community to drive projects, change and protection initiatives.
A nursery manager position has also been created which is a local employment opportunity.
Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board funds the Ecology Vision work and granted the nursery $15,000 for start-up costs as part of the community grant funding round earlier this year.
