Conservation Week 2006

The 10 August 2006 was a beautiful crisp winter morning - perfect for tree planting!
South Westland Area School pupils (rooms 4 and 5), joined members of the local community, DOC, and Fish and Game planting and mulching seedlings at the La Fontaine Stream. When asked why waterways need protection, the children already had the answers: "healthier and a more natural stream-side, reduced bank erosion, improvement of water quality, improving habitat for trout and native fish, and a sense of well-being for giving something back to nature. A planted riparian margin also provides shelter and a cleaner water source for stock."
We are continuing to fill in the gaps within the first 100m so that the plants start to shelter each other. In a year or two we will be able to spread upstream. The plants planted in previous years look great, and are starting to poke their heads through the long grass.

The backgound

History of the project 2002-2005.

La Fontaine Stream Enhancement Project was set up in 2002 as a site to showcase stream restoration. The section of stream currently being restored is adjacent to Petersen Road Bridge, Hari Hari. The idea was initiated by one of the adjacent landowners Stephen Davies, and the plan was to eventually revegetate up to one kilometre of the stream.
The group applied for some money from the BOC "Where's theres water..." NZ Community Environmental Grants to run a nursery to grow plants for the site. This was successful and now Steve Paris grows manuka from seed sourced nearby. Other community members help with collecting native seedlings from their various gardens.
The community has got behind the project and everyone from local farmers, Fish and Game staff, Department of Conservation staff, students from South Westland Area School, scouts and the Regional Council has helps with the annual plantings, mulching and weeding.
So far about 100m has been planted, and those that haven't succumb to frost, drought and pukeko are doing well.