Wakatipu Reforestation Trust - Autumn Planting Season
Restoring our native biodiversity & taking action against climate change, one tree at a time
by Georgia Merton
The Whakatipu Reforestation Trust invites the Queenstown community to join their volunteer native tree planting days throughout April. Planting native trees is a great way to actively participate in restoring our native biodiversity while helping to mitigate climate change.
Since 2015, the WRT has planted over 70,000 native trees and shrubs in areas that were once overrun with broom, gorse and other invasive weed species. At Whitechapel Reserve (QLDC), over 16,000 native trees and shrubs have been planted so far, with another 1500 ready to be planted on the 15th April. The spectacular transformation of this reserve is just one of the increasingly highly visible native corridors along the Queenstown Trail where locals and visitors alike can feel immersed in the beautiful ecosystems that once flourished through the Whakatipu Basin.
Planting days are the place to be on Saturday mornings throughout April!! With over 5000 plants ready to go into the ground this season, we need as much help as we can get!! Absolutely everyone is welcome - young and old and the family dog! There are jobs for everyone - it’s not all digging and planting - there are plenty of support tasks to help keep the day running smoothly. Planting days are drop-in style - from 9am onwards. No experience is needed, just a desire to make a difference and leave your legacy for future generations.
Morning tea & hot drinks kindly provided by the awesome team at the Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa, and we will be celebrating the start of planting season with a community sausage sizzle at Whitechapel
What to bring: Gardening gloves, hat, good footwear, sturdy garden shovel, water and enthusiasm.
Dates:
Sat April 15th - Whitechapel Reserve, Whitechapel Road, Arrow Junction
Sat April 22nd - Slopehill Road (off Speargrass Flat Road)
Sat April 29th - Bush Creek (behind Chinese Village)
For more information, updates & maps, please go to our website and/or Facebook events:
Web: www.wrtqt.org.nz | FB: www.facebook.com/wrtqt.org.nz
