Much work has been done by our young environmentalist this year and they should be very proud of their work.

With two hundred members the Burnside Environment Group has made wonderful progress as we aim to provide a native corridor through our grounds and along the stream in Jellie Park. Our first forest, Te Uru, is maturing with every year that passes. The hoheria (ribbonwoods) are now providing a fine canopy which shelters the many species of native plants that are thriving below. Although all our plants are special it is the podocarps that will be the feature of the forest in years to come. Tōtara, matai and kahikatea will dominate the skyline and with aroha should live for five hundred to one thousand years. The forest floor is home to a million bugs and the birds have made the forest their home. piwakauwaka, riroriro, korimako and now a ruru have been seen and heard this year. In Jellie Park we have been planting and mulching throughout the year and our friends at the Christchurch City Council have generously provided plants and mulch to support our work. Trees for Canterbury have also continued their wonderful sponsorship and we are very grateful. We are fortunate to have many staff who willingly give their time to support this initiative and the students are a source of inspiration to us all. We look forward to continuing this project next year and hope our local community are enjoying the beautiful trees and the sound of bird song in the air.