Biodiversity Day celebrated at Te Mata Park

Te Mata Park volunteers were ‘part of the solution’ on Biodiversity Day, removing wilding pines in preparation for winter planting in the Tauroa Forest.

Biodiversity Day 2021 is being celebrated internationally under the slogan: "We're part of the solution #ForNature".

Approximately thirty volunteers, led by Te Mata Park’s Communications and Education Coordinator Sara Shaw were removing wilding pine seedlings as part of the Park’s ambitious Forestry and Revegetation project, with plans to plant 60,000 native trees over the three-year project.

“We couldn’t do all this work without our group of dedicated volunteers, whether it be the planting days, work in the Rongoā garden or weeding and maintenance.”

“We encourage and welcome school groups to our volunteer days and value the work put in by Havelock North Intermediate students involved in the William Pike Challenge, an excellent programme where students are involved in outdoor activities, community service, and passion projects”.

The Park Trust aims to improve biodiversity across the park and create better habitats for native birdlife as well as a wonderful destination for park users in the years to come.

Revegetation Project Manager Guy Morris of GB Morris Landscaping, says “With stock fenced out, predator control in place and weeding underway, it’s fantastic to see the likes of Karamu, Kanuka and Ngaio self-seeding in the Tauroa Forest.”    

“It’s great to see communities working together, sharing expertise and knowledge,” says Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay’s community facilitator, Belinda Sleight, who joined in the event.

“Part of my role and the role of Biodiversity Hawke's Bay is building that momentum by getting people involved, and then encouraging and supporting biodiversity projects at the grassroots level.”

“If people start thinking about biodiversity and native habitat and their role in that, whether it is proactive or not, then I think that is a gain. Small changes all build together eventually.”

If you have a biodiversity project, a group or even an idea that needs help and publicity, please contact Belinda Sleight at community@biodiversityhb.nz.

Photo: Havelock North Intermediate William Pike Challenge students at Te Mata Park

22 May 2021

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