Bay Harbour: May 26, 2021

Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Wednesday May 26 2021 Bay Harbour News 15
ESTUARY MATTERS
Huge turnout for planting day
The Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust is a non-profit
organisation formed to protect one of New Zealand’s
most important coastal wetlands. Each week, board
members will discuss matters regarding the estuary,
its rich history and what makes it unique. This week
Tanya Jenkins writes about a successful planting day at
Charlesworth Reserve
IT IS 10am on Sunday, May 16,
and volunteers are streaming
into the Charlesworth Reserve
car park ready with spades,
gloves and enthusiasm.
Eighteen-month-old Hugo carried
by mum Merodie Rose was
keen to show me his wee spade
and the plant he was going to
plant in the reserve.
Fabulous to see 85 keen locals
arrive to place 1400 native tree
seedlings in the reserve to add to
the some 120.000 already planted
here since the start of this wetland
restoration project in 2004.
Even more encouraging was
the number of families present
this year (our 17th annual planting
event) to show the youngsters
how and why we plant here.
The why of course being a list
NATURE: More than 80 volunteers flocked to
Charlesworth Reserve to plant 1400 native trees as part
of the Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust’s restoration
projects.
of very good reasons including
habitat for birds, lizards and insects,
food for birds, nesting and
roosting sites for birds, offsetting
carbon emissions, soil erosion
prevention, filtering polluted
water before it enters the estuary,
safe cycling and walking, providing
a fantastic view for those
living in view of the wetland
and not in the least – a place to
recharge your batteries.
Walk among the creeks,
ponds, observe the birdlife and
gain a sense of well-being that
is often only achieved when you
immerse yourself with nature.
All in all, a successful day organised
by the estuary trust with
the city council park rangers and
the fabulous staff of Trees for
Canterbury native tree nursery.
And now? We have another
1400 trees to be weeded. You are
welcome of course, to assist on
Sundays between 2 and 4pm for
this task.
•For more information email
info@estuary.org.nz
KEEN HELPER: Merodie Rose and 18-month-old son
Hugo with his spade ready to help planting.
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