7th June 2012

Onoke Planting Day Success

More than 50 volunteers were joined by Department of Conservation staff at Onoke Spit on Friday 25th May for a successful planting day.

Community groups, sponsors, school children and keen locals enjoyed stunning conditions to plant 560 native trees with wind protection at Onoke Spit.

The ongoing restoration programme at Onoke spit included the previous control of gorse in two sites measuring 300 square metres, with Friday’s planting of flax, Oleria and Taupata plants. Saltmarsh ribbonwood were planted alongside the Kiriwai lagoon.

The partnership between the community groups and volunteers with support from the Department of Conservation has enabled great restoration action at Onoke during the past year. Sandra Burles (DOC) says “we have had a great response from the community to be involved in restoring this amazing ecosystem and the large numbers of volunteers involved in Friday’s planting reflects this”.

Pest weed control and follow-up planting is one aspect of the coastal restoration project at Onoke Spit which aims to restore the habitat for native species. Other goals include protecting native flora and fauna and provision of an excellent visitor experience.

Community groups and sponsors involved in Onoke Restoration include; Friends of Onoke Spit, Wharekauhau Estate, Palliser Estate Winery, Kahutara School, Rotary Group South Wairarapa, Forest and Bird and local Wairarapa volunteers. Breadcraft and Export Meat Warehouse of Masterton provided supplies for a hot, tasty BBQ on the day to thank the volunteers for their hard work.

Onoke Spit is a nationally-valuable coastal environment, with diverse plant species, a threatened native moth, rare red katipo spiders and nesting Caspian terns. It is a popular recreational area for motor-bikers, recreational fishers, walkers, botanists and bird watchers.
ends

© Scoop Media