Eighteen Forest and Birders headed off to Totaranui for Anzac weekend to assist Project Janszoon with planting at Hadfields Clearing. Project Janszoon plan to restore kahikatea swamp in the area to increase the habitat available for native species that depend on wetlands ecosystems. Added to the experience was the the magic of staying at the historic Ngarata Homestead at Totaranui where the lovely sunny days were followed by brightly starlit nights with excursions to the beach to see phosphorescence sparkling in the water and listen to moreporks along the way. Other highlights were an early morning jaunt around the Puketea Walk just as the sun was rising, a tramp over the hill through rimu filled forest from Hadfields to Awaroa Inlet to view the old homestead, the satisfaction of planting about 3000 trees and of course the usual delectable pot luck dinners.
The group gathered at Ngarata Homestead
Grace and Brian hard at work
Grace and Brian hard at work