Planting volunteers needed!

Volunteers plant thousands of young plants before lockdown. Photo supplied.

The Whau River Catchment Trust (WRCT) needs your help with planting native plants when we hit Level 2. Are you up for it?

We got off to a great start and managed to plant several thousand plants before lockdown. But we still have 15,000 to plant, and depending on rainfall, planting season finishes late October/early November. Planting too late can lead to heavy losses of young plants as they will not have had sufficient time to develop good root systems before summer.

Once we are at Alert Level 2, we will hold a community volunteer planting day each Saturday from 10am to 12pm, until the planting season ends. If you miss one event there is always another opportunity to join on another Saturday.

Every plant that you put in the ground plays an important role in the wildlife ecosystem. Whether providing food, shelter or even leaf litter, native birds, reptiles, and insects will all thrive with the habitats created by the plants.

Not only will you be helping nature, but you will also benefit from the outdoor activity. Fresh air and exercise are good for our wellbeing, physically, emotionally, and by lifting our spirits; just the therapy we need at times like these.

If you are keen to help, please email us at info@whauriver.org.nz and leave an expression of interest.
Stay safe and we hope to see you at Level 2.
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Justine Newnham
Whau River Catchment Trust