Community Planting Day at Groom Creek

There’s another opportunity to do your bit at a Maitai community planting day at Groom Creek on Sunday 14 September.

The planting is being organised by the Friends of the Maitai with support from Nelson City Council, and is the third major planting day of the winter, with others also happening among neighbours on the Maitai banks.

Friends of the Maitai spokesperson, Ami Kennedy, says the Groom Creek area has been recently retired from grazing and could do with some re-vegetation.

“Planting the banks of tributary creeks like this will help address silt management from nearby forestry land, will restore the habitat for wildlife and will create ecological corridors to other areas,” she said. “It’s all part of the community action to restore a cool, clear and flowing Maitai River.”

Ami says as well as coming to the planting day, the Friends of the Maitai want to encourage people to ‘take ownership’ of the newly planted areas.

“A tree is not just planted - like a child it needs care, especially in its early years,” she said. “We’re wanting people to ‘adopt a reach’ of the river and take on responsibility for weeding, and releasing the plants from debris after flooding.”

The Groom Creek area may include the establishment of a wetland where the creek enters the Maitai. The planting area on September 14 will lead into this.

Friends of the Maitai are working closely with Council on a integrated project to improve the health of the Maitai/Mahitahi catchment so that the community can safely swim in the river, take kai from the river, and value the river as a taonga (treasure).

Groom Creek is past the Waahi Taakaro Golf Course, opposite the Maitai Valley Camping Ground and will be signposted from the start of the Maitai Valley at Clousten Bridge. Everyone is welcome, soup, bread and refreshments provided. Bring your own mug to help reduce waste. Wear strong footwear and appropriate clothing.
Sunday 14 September 10am to 3pm or when finished; rain day 21 Sunday September.

Ends

© Scoop Media