Plant a tree at Long Bay

As winter approaches, Aucklanders are being invited to pick up a spade to help Auckland Regional Council plant as many as 100,000 native trees in regional parks.

Join in the planting on Sunday 16 May from 10am at Long Bay Regional Park (Meet: under the Norfolk pines beside the workshop).

Planting at Long Bay will help to reclaim the valleys and ridges from strangling kikuyu; create forest corridors from the sea to the hills, enabling native wildlife to live in the continuous native bush; and provide a balance to the populated areas from sand dunes to forest.New trees are planted to protect park life including, native plants, birds, fish and insects and their support systems and food supplies. Planting helps maintain and enhance biodiversity.

Planting nurses damaged ecosystems back to health and speeds up natural regeneration. Parks are a giant version of what your backyard could be like and are green, lush and alive. Planting reduces flooding and erosion, improves water quality making our rivers and beaches safer for swimming.

What to bring: Most important - work boots or enclosed shoes (not sandals), a spade, gloves, a jacket, snacks and water bottle (it's thirsty work). We provide a sausage sizzle for lunch.

How to get there: Take State Highway 1 north to the Oteha Valley Road off ramp. Turn right and follow Oteha Valley Rd to the lights. Go straight ahead into Carlisle Road and follow the *A signs through Torbay to Long Bay. Regular bus service runs between the Auckland CBD and Long Bay. Phone Rideline on 09-366 6400 for details.

For more information on this planting day contact the ARC on 366 2000 or visit http://www.arc.govt.nz.

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