An enthusiastic crowd of about 150 people planted 1100 native trees and plants at QE11 Park Adventure Trail off Beach Road on Sunday June 7.

Split into two groups to meet physical distancing requirements, the volunteers from Rangi Ruru and ten other schools, plus their supporters, made short work of the task, swung into action on the fine and frosty morning. Soon after finishing a dozen piwakawaka/fantail descended staking their claim on the new block…hopefully the forerunners of many more native birds to come.

“The planting atmosphere was very congenial. It was great to see students from so many schools working together to mitigate climate change, enhance the amenity values of our city-scape and help provide habitat and food for native birds” said Kate Rivers, Director of Sustainability.

Eleven schools across Christchurch now have Eco Action satellite nurseries, together nurturing 10,000 trees and plants.

The next planting will be with plants grown in the Rangi nursery. It would be great to have a big turn out from our community on Sunday 21 June from 10am, at Chimera Crescent. Whānau welcome to come along and help!

Students are invited to help pot seedlings on Mondays and Wednesdays after school in the Rangi nursery (at the end of the field next to the gardeners shed), starting at 3.40pm or at Christ’s College on the corner of Gloucester St and Rolleston Ave on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3.45pm. This is a great way to increase SVA hours for community service.

Thank you to sponsors for their support. Check out the work of the Eco Action Nursery Trust at www.eco-action.co.nz