Over the last month and a half, several whānau classes from Wairau house have been involved in a community tree planting project as their house service activity.

This tree planting event was initiated and organised by one of our year 12 students, Reuben Dempster, with support from James Mills-Kelly from the Marlborough District Council.

The aim for the project was to plant around 3000 native trees at the top of Harling Park, backing on to the Wither Hills. As the trees grow, they will provide a native species corridor, attracting birds such as tui and pīwakawaka and providing a potential habitat for other native species such as gecko and skinks, and many invertebrates.

It was an awesome opportunity for the whānau classes to work together alongside Marlborough District Council and with the help of Marlborough Girls’ College, to give back to the community as well as improving the environmental impact we have on our region both now and in the future.

Thanks to the boys for providing the labour. A big thank-you to James Mills-Kelly from MDC for supporting this initiative by providing the trees, knowledge and location. Finally, none of this would have happened if Reuben had not come up with the idea, got people on board, organised, and supported it throughout its duration. Great job!