Earth Day Celebrated in Wairarapa With Dune, Forest Planting
20 April 2011
Earth Day Celebrated in Wairarapa With Dune and Forest Planting
Wairarapa community volunteers, schools and businesses have celebrated Earth Day (April 22) with the Department of Conservation (DOC), by planting more than 1500 native species on the Castlepoint dunes and at a forest reserve near Carterton.
For over 40 years, Earth Day—April 22—has inspired and mobilised individuals and organisations worldwide to demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. This commitment was evident in the Wairarapa, at planting days organised by DOC in the lead-up to Earth Day, at Carter Scenic Reserve and Castlepoint.
Carter Scenic Reserve native tree planting
On Wednesday, April 13th, the Carterton Central and Masterton Holdsworth Lions clubs and local volunteers planted 350 native trees at Carter’s Reserve. This area of swamp and semi-swamp forest on two old terraces of the Ruamahanga River represents a patchwork landscape that was once typical of the Wairarapa - grass, wetland, shrub land, and forest. “DOC is happy to have help eradicating weeds and re-populating the area with native species, says biodiversity programme manager Bruce Vander Lee. We want to continue working alongside the community to restore the reserve. The results of these efforts are encouraging.”
Castlepoint coastal planting
Genesis Energy, Tinui School and the Coast Care Group of the Castlepoint Ratepayers and Residence Association teamed up on Thursday, April 14th; to plant native coastal plants to restore native dunes and create wildlife habitat at the Castlepoint Scenic Reserve. Over 70 people showed their support by planting 1200 native coastal plants; pingao and spinifex, to replace the invasive weed, marram. The next planting, in late May, will reshape the dune in front of the car park upgrade site.
Find out more about Carter Scenic Reserve
Find out more about Find out more about Castlepoint Scenic Reserve
Find out more about Earth Day 2011: www.earthday.org
ENDS