Latest highlights:
The planting programme – mission accomplished!
Fred said
Nursery working bee
The planting programme – mission accomplished!
With a couple of lots taken by some Matakohe and Ararua people over the last few days, the nursery is just about clear of the current season’s plants. We have also been able to help out somone from Aropohue who is receiving advice from the NRC’s erosion-prone hill country programme staff. I hope we will be able to work in more with them in the future, and become more actively involved where the site is within our territory. If you want to find out more about this programme, follow this link: http://www.nrc.govt.nz/News/news-2015/news-2015-07/Northland-wins-650k-plus-share-of-hill-country-erosion-fund .
The official planting programme is now complete for the year, but we will still have a few dribs and drabs left if you are interested. The final tally is about 16,500, so we can all give ourselves a hearty pat on the back!
Fred said
I received a number of very positive responses to the last Update regarding the success of the planting programme. There is one in particular which made me feel especially proud of what we have achieved this year.
Fred said: “Very well done, proud of you and your team!!!!
The more farmers that come on board, the snow ball effect will happen, and not even the commercial nurseries will be able to keep up with demand. And that is what Otamatea HarbourCare is creating.
By growing plants that are affordable farmers can’t say no, and by providing that planting service that commercial nurseries don’t is why you’re a winner. Good on you guys.”
Coming from Fred Lichtwark, the head of Whaingaroa Harbourcare (Raglan, see: http://www.harbourcare.co.nz/ ), that is praise indeed. It was Fred who put the match to the kindling for me a number of years ago, and I have drawn a lot from his wisdom and experience in setting up Otamatea HarbourCare. Fred’s chairperson Fiona Edwards has also been a great help to me in getting our show on the road, so thank you both for your support.
Nursery working bee
We will be having a working bee in the nursery this Wednesday morning (not Thursday) at the usual start time of 8.37 am. There will be some more pricking out and repotting to do. Sorry for the short notice, but I have just taken a cake out of the oven for you….