Forest Regeneration Project in Upper Hutt

Since 1994 the Upper Hutt branch of Forest and Bird has been involved in a successful joint effort to rejuvenate two surviving areas of native forest in Trentham Memorial Park. Known as Barton's Bush and Domain Bush, these are the only remaining areas of the original lowland forest which once covered the Hutt Valley.

Following a study of the area in 1994, which revealed a neglected and weed infested area, a report was prepared and Forest and Bird offered to coordinate several interested groups. Upper Hutt City Council has provided ongoing funding for weed and pest control in the area, and helps pay towards the production of more than 4000 trees and shrubs to be planted back into the forest each season.

These plants are sourced from seedlings and seed collected Upper Hutt area. They are collected and grown by an enthusiastic group of Forest and Bird members, and by Upper Hutt College students. The Hutt International Boys' School has more recently joined the scheme.

A shadehouse at Rimutaka Prison is used for raising many of the young plants. Help is given by some of the prisoners, both in potting up young plants and planting them in the bush. A number of other groups also help with the planting out. The success of this project is evident in the healthy, vigorous growth of the bush and the many favourable comments from local people who visit the park. It has been an excellent exercise in cooperation between very different local groups, and in providing many students with an ongoing practical experience of how regeneration works.

Society as National Sponsor of Earth Day 2000

- Carol Knutson, Forest and Bird Central Office.

Forest and Bird took the lead role in promoting Earth Day 2000 in New Zealand on April 29, being the second occasion when the Society has been national coordinator of the international day of commemoration. This year marked the 30th anniversary of Earth Day, first held in 1970 in the United States.

Earth Day is a global event focusing on a healthy future for the planet. Worldwide, more than 500 million people took part, representing nearly every nation on Earth.

In New Zealand, Forest and Bird branches joined with numerous other conservation organisations, territorial local authorities, and the Department of Conservation to mark Earth Day. The occasion brought together a number of MPs and Mayors, along with members of the public.

Groups celebrated with a wide variety of activities around the country. The Forest and Bird president, Keith Chapple, joined the Minister of Conservation, Sandra Lee, in central Auckland to plant native trees in Heron Park. In Taupo the mayor, Joan Williamson, and MP Mark Burton presented environmental awards. Upper Clutha Forest and Bird hosted a talk by a Green Party MP, Ian Ewen-Street.

Waiheke Island was a hive of activity on Earth Day with information displays, education walks and a dance performance put on by members of the local Kiwi Conservation Club.

With such a high level of participation from across the community, and positive media coverage for conservation and environment issues, Earth Day 2000 was a great success. For many Forest and Bird members it was also an enjoyable day out, both learning about and caring for the environment.

Forest and Bird central office staff would like to extend their thanks to all those who helped organise, or who participated in an Earth Day event.