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From mānuka and kanuka to cabbage trees, volunteers will be digging deep to help restore native ecosystems at Pukekohe’s Lough Bourne Reserve this Saturday, June 13.
The plants mentioned have been specifically selected as ‘pioneer species,’ capable of outcompeting weeds within a couple of years, community park ranger Shane McNeill explains.
“Planting projects in this fast-growing area help create more forest habitat, protecting our native flora and fauna. They also ensure native birds have ecological corridors as they cross the region.”
The plants should also attract native insects and even pekapeka, New Zealand’s only endemic bat species made famous by Ben Paris, Franklin’s ‘Batman.’
Forest giants, such as tōtara, pūriri and kahikatea, are slow growing, whereas manuka, kānuka and cabbage trees can provide homes for native species wildlife more quickly.
This is not the first time that Lough Bourne Reserve has benefited from native planting, but more is needed to ensure Franklin can better protect our native taonga.
“We’re aiming to plant 1000 native trees to help increase the native forest cover in this reserve. The plants are sourced locally, which means they will have already adapted to the local climate and are more likely to thrive.”
However, this initiative won’t get off the ground without volunteers – click here for more information or to register. Volunteers will need to bring sturdy, covered footwear and a water bottle as well as gardening gloves and spades if possible.
