AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

2 May 2006

Time for tree planting

Get back to nature this winter with Auckland City’s volunteer tree planting programme which runs from 7 May until 19 August.

The programme gives locals throughout the city the opportunity to help grow and develop urban parks by planting native trees and shrubs.

Auckland City’s park volunteer coordinator, David Bowden, says the tree planting programme is all about local people caring for local parks.

“Volunteers enjoy adding their own green touch to the city, and they often find that it is a great opportunity to meet their neighbours and learn new skills. The activities are also great for families. Volunteers find it really rewarding when their children come along and plant a tree and then watch that tree grow along with their child,” says Mr Bowden.

Since 2002, volunteers have dug in 26,800 native trees and shrubs in the city’s urban parks in an effort to green the city.

Mr Bowden says the trees help to improve the city’s air quality, improve rainwater drainage and provide shade.

Registration for the activities is not required – simply turn up on the day with family and friends, and bring sturdy shoes, gloves and a gardening spade if you have them. Auckland City will provide refreshments at each event.

The Auckland City volunteer tree planting programme follows on from the summer’s successful creek and coast clean-up programme that saw 111 volunteers collect 2,220 kilograms of rubbish from the city’s creeks and beaches, including 102 car tyres and 7 shopping trolleys.

For more information about the fifteen weekend tree planting activities, visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/parkvolunteer or call (09) 379 2020 to request a brochure.

ENDS

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