21 May, 2014

Community group to create green corridor thanks to grant

The Rangiwahia Environmental Arts Centre Trust (REACT) aims to create a ‘green corridor’ of native bush between local reserves thanks to funding received from Horizons Regional Council’s community grant pool.

The site is located on private land between two native reserves and the group has been fighting barberry in the area for a few years. REACT group leader Bridgette Murphy says members held a working bee last weekend to clear land in preparation of planting in the next few months.

“By clearing this area of barberry we can stop it from spreading into the reserves on either side of the gully, as it’s a never ending battle to stay on top of it,” says Ms Murphy.

“Once the area is cleared we’ll use the $1300 from Horizons to purchase native plants and plant from one end of the gully to the other, creating a ‘green corridor’ between the neighboring reserves.

“Not only will the plants help improve water quality of the stream that runs through the gully, but also help with erosion control.”

Horizons biodiversity coordinator Aaron Madden says the planting will attract birds and they’ll bring seeds from the nearby reserves.

“Eventually the corridor will contain most of the species present in the reserves. It was exciting to find that the three poataniwha trees already growing on the site are host to hundreds of dwarf mistletoes,” says Mr Madden.

Ms Murphy says REACT hope to create a taniwha shape out of the plants from a birds eye perspective and have had advice from Horizons staff as to which plants will grow best where.

“Aaron and Neil from Horizons have been great. They’ve come up and looked at the site and suggested which trees would help the best with erosion control,” says Ms Murphy.

“They’ve also helped us identify which plants we have enough of up here already, and which ones we have less of. So fro example we will be looking at planting more cabbage, kowhai and ribbonwood trees.”

REACT currently has approximately 40 members spread out through the Rangiwahia area and is always looking for more people to join. If anyone is interested please email Bridgette Murphy on rangienviroartscentre@gmail.com or visit their website www.rangienviroartscentre.org

Horizons’ community grants programme is now in its third year with grants available to support community-led projects that help in making the Manawatu-Wanganui Region a great place to live, work and play. The 2014 round will be open later in the year.

Community groups, schools, early childhood centres and iwi/hapu groups are all eligible to apply for a grant from the $20,000 pool. These will be awarded to projects that enhance the Region and encourage more people to engage with the natural environment.

ENDS

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