Children To Plant First Of 12,000 Native Trees

The natives will be planted in a Turning Point 2000 project, along with the Christchurch City Council Parks Unit, to support "the re-invigoration of the indigenous bio-diversity within Christchurch.

" The native trees will be planted in six blocks - about 2000 at each site - around the city and the first trees to go in will be at the Travis Wetland on Tuesday 7 March from 10am. The project - Native Trees Please! - is designed to attract a greater abundance and variety of native wildlife, such as birds, reptiles, insects and snails.

It will also provide neighbourhood identity and each of the six sites has been selected to represent some local and contrasting aspect of the original natural landscape. The primary aim is to develop a living museum of plant life and associated ecosystems commemorating what existed in Christchurch in earlier times.

It is intended that NativeTrees Please! will involve school children and groups in the planting and maintenance of the sites. Planting at Travis Wetland will start at 10am with children from the Parkview Primary School and continue until about noon. In the afternoon Windsor Primary School pupils will start planting at 1.30pm on Tuesday March 7. Trees to be planted at Travis Wetland will include matai, totora, and kahikatea with other swamp forest species.

NB: The planting will be next to a pond at the end of Beach Road. Further information: Kay Holder: 025 201 5657.

Sam Fisher Corporate Communication Co-ordinator Christchurch City Council 03 371-1762 025 229 3552

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