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Anzac Day Reflections at RNZYS
Site preparation begins for the 150th Legacy Tree Project at Kawau Island – Cooper Hopman photo.
Our Kawau Island Tree Planting and Reforestation Project is now well underway and a large number of members have already pledged their support of this 150th legacy project on our site at Kawau.
We started this a couple of years ago when the 150th committee decided we needed a true legacy project that would still be there in another 150 years. The project will continue for a number of years to come with regular planting weekends for members to get involved in.
A plan was put together and began with pest control; there was no point in planting seedlings if they just got eaten by possums and wallabies. This has been highly successful and at last check there was very little evidence of pests on site.
Next was a planting plan and budget put together by various consultants under the leadership of General Committee member Peter Boardman. Preparing the site for planting required the removal all of the invasive pines and other trees that drop needles and stop forest undergrowth, secure the plants, begin fundraising and lock in some volunteer planting dates. The total budget for the first year is around $120,000, a large portion of which is in site preparation.
An initial clean-up of decades-worth of various waste items into dozens of large skip bags was barged off the island before the diggers and chainsaws (we know this sounds weird when we are supposed to be planting trees!) arrived on June 3 to prepare the site under the supervision of our facility manager, Cooper Hopman.
Nothing will be wasted as the pines and other non-natives will be trimmed and chipped into mulch for planting while the main trunks will be milled onsite and used as building timber for some other projects we have planned. Sustainable practices are our focus with this project. Peter Burling and Blair Tuke will be on the island mid-June planting a few trees to kick things off and raise awareness of the project further.
Long term, the goal is to upgrade more facilities on the site, including improving the amenity with walking paths and improving ecological value of the landscape, restoring the ngahere mauri (forest life-force) and providing habitat so that the threatened native species such as kiwi and weka that live on Kawau Island can return to the site.
Fundraising got off to an initial start with some ‘seed’ money from the Corporate Regatta and will again be the focus this year. Our partners, Mastercard also came on board with a generous contribution from their global ‘Priceless Planets’ programme and we have had a number of successful fundraising raffles at the various member events. This will continue until we hit our fundraising target.
A key part of the ongoing fundraising is we encouraging our entire membership to get involved with this project. There are different ways you can be part of the legacy, which include: buy a tree for $25; buy a cluster of trees for $150; buy a tree with a plaque $500; or simply donate by pledging your own amount. You can also volunteer and be a part of our planting days scheduled throughout the winter, or plan your own corporate planting day (min 40 people). To become a part of our legacy today check out our website: www.rnzys. org.nz/kawau-project/.
This fundraising campaign has already received some fantastic support by a number of members – and we thank them. Personally my Dad loved Kawau and passed away a few years ago, so there will be a ‘Porter Family’ Plaque under one of the trees that we can remember him by. You might have someone you want to tribute that loved Kawau too?
We really appreciate your support of this important initiative combining our love of the Island with doing great things for our planet. TREE PLANTING DATES Kawau Island, Lidgard House Saturday 7th August – 1-4pm Sunday 8th August – 10am-1pm Saturday 4th September – 1-4pm Sunday 5th September – 10am-1pm Saturday 11th September – 10am-1pm Sunday 12th September – 1-4pm Register your interest for planting days or make a pledge: rnzys.org.nz/kawau-project/ Hayden Porter, CEO
