The Haehaeata Natural Heritage Trust will begin the first stage of planting at the Half Mile Recreation Reserve near Alexandra in June.
Based at the Clyde railhead where it operates an eco-nursery, the Trust has a five-year memorandum of understanding with the Central Otago District Council (CODC) to plant out the reserve and will start with the area above the state highway.
The planting bee will be held on Sunday 9 June, from 1pm-4pm.
The Council was delighted to be working with and supporting the Trust, CODC Parks and Recreation Manager Gordon Bailey said.
"We're looking forward to seeing the transformation of this reserve over the next few years and commend the Trust for taking on this challenge to create another unique space for the community."
With an initial goal of putting in 5,000 tussocks, the Haehaeata trust’s project coordinator Rach Baxter said this was the group’s biggest and most ambitious undertaking so far since it formed in 2017.
“There has been a lot of work happening in the background with this project and we are very excited to announce that the first of our public planting days.
“The slash has been tidied away, the ground prepared and now we have our fingers crossed for a bit more rain.
“This is a big project and we’re in for the long haul, so we need as many people involved as possible. There’s a variety of ways people can be actively involved even if their backs aren’t up to digging holes, to help with the transformation of this beautiful site, to really enhance its natural features, and create an outstanding entrance to Alexandra, and boost our native biodiversity at the same time.”
At this planting the Trust will be establishing three local species; Poa cita – silver tussock, Poa colensoi – blue tussock and Festuca novae-zelandiae – hard tussock. The next five stages will concentrate on reestablishing local native shrub and tree species, a lot of which are 'at risk' or 'threatened'.
“With the ground having been prepared, we’ve actually already been up there and had a wee practice and planted four tussocks, so the good news is there’s actually only 4,996 left to go!”
People are welcome to join the planting day on 9 June and could indicate an interest in attending by completing this form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEAzCxsS2GVPgIH6EapceHYyoeSgDDehpbExmpG-nFnudJLw/viewform?usp=sf_link
Council staff and elected members have been invited to mark Arbor Day on 5 June by taking part in a planting working bee at the site.
