Shared commitment to biodiversity

Heading north on State Highway 2, just past the main Guthrie Smith Arboretum gates, you cannot miss the iconic image of a tui feeding on a harakeke flower.

The new billboard reflects the shared commitment by Guthrie Smith Trust and Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay to enhancing biodiversity and the importance of education and awareness as part of that.

When many think of Guthrie Smith, we think of the naturalist and farmer, Herbert Guthrie-Smith, and the ninety hectares of arboretum overlooking Lake Tutira, 40 km north of Napier.

Guthrie Smith is also an OutdoorsMark certified outdoor and environmental education centre, catering to large and small groups, with many schools utilising the education centre and onsite accommodation.

The education programmes at Guthrie Smith offer a multi-faceted learning environment encouraging a greater understanding and enjoyment of all aspects relating to the natural environment, with most of the hands-on learning sessions based out in nature.

David Allan, chair, Guthrie Smith Trust says “We are delighted to reinforce in this way, Herbert Guthrie-Smith’s meticulous observations and his vision so long ago, relating to the significance of environmental effects. The importance of education and an appreciation of the need for biodiversity now cannot be overstated.”

As the hub for biodiversity in the region, the Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay team work to connect, facilitate and enable community action for biodiversity, with the goal to protect, restore, and enhance indigenous biodiversity across Hawke’s Bay.

General Manager of Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay, Debbie Monahan, likes that the billboard reflects the relationship. “It is great to have organisations like the Guthrie Smith Trust educating our future generations whilst enhancing the biodiversity in the area. We welcome our association and shared commitment with them” she says.

The new billboard has been erected at the entrance to a newly gifted piece of land totalling thirty hectares, neighbouring the current property to the north.

“Four hectares of this property is to be re-established as a wetland featuring a wide range of native plants and creating a good habitat for wildlife. This development will also not only improve the lake’s water quality but also facilitate further educational topics too,” says Mr Allan.

To learn more about Guthrie Smith Trust and Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay, visit https://www.guthriesmith.org.nz/ and https://www.biodiversityhb.org/

Photo: Charles Daugherty, Chair, Hawke’s Bay Biodiversity Trust and David Allan, Chair, Guthrie Smith Trust at Guthrie Smith, Tutira.

15 August 2022

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