Volunteers are gearing up this winter to plant thousands of native plants in local parks across the Upper Harbour Local Board area.
Board Chair Anna Atkinson is delighted that over 6,000 shrubs and trees will be planted in 12 local parks over the next three months.
“It’s gratifying to see the high level of support for the volunteer planting programme among ecological and community groups, schools, and businesses.
“Volunteer groups are taking the lead; they help organise planting days and often care for the plants afterwards.
“The short planting season makes it a busy time for council parks staff and our ecological volunteers, and they really appreciate the community help.”
The Sustainable Paremoremo Group are planting 750 native trees and shrubs at Sanders Reserve, and the Friends of Unsworth Reserve have 500 plants for the reserve. Both groups are asking for public help and will soon confirm planting dates and times.
“Public planting days are a very special way to help your community and increase tree cover across our parks,” Atkinson says.
Other Upper Harbour groups busy with planting are Habitat Hobsonville, Friends of Otara Reserve, Friends of William Gamble Reserve, the Herald Island Environmental Group, Te Hōnonga a Iwi, and Restore the Landing.
Planting sites are situated at Nimrod Reserve, Oratau and Orchard Reserve, Wainoni Park, Kingsway Reserve, Rosedale Park, The Landing and East Sunderland Bridge.
Atkinson is thrilled students are also eager to help plant and that 35 per cent of plantings will involve schools.
Upper Harbour Primary, Westminster Primary and Kristin School are planting at Bluebird Reserve, Rosedale Park, Sanders Reserve and William Gamble Reserve.
“You can take that extra step and get involved with the ecological volunteer group that looks after a local park and make a lasting contribution to your neighbourhood,” Atkinson says.
Every effort is made to ensure that planting event information is correct, but before attending an event, it is best to check the details at facebook.com/aucklandparks.
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