Generations of Marlburians uniting for planting

Earth connects everyone. From youths to seniors, city dwellers to rural residents, Marlburians share roots in the land – bridging generational and geographical gaps.

This concept drives a collaboration between restoration groups which, for three years running, has made wide-ranging impacts on local landscapes. The next effort comes 6 June with Junior Landcare’s Community Planting Day at the Thomsons Ford Reserve.

That morning, local members of the New Zealand Landcare Trust and Wairau Nature Network will guide members of the community through creating a “green firebreak” of trees less vulnerable to wildfire than other foliage.

Work will commence the previous day, 5 June, when primary school students visit the site. As of last weekend, Rapaura and Springlands had committed to coming.
“While children are planting trees, and that’s a really nice thing to do, we try to put it that they’re taking action for the environment,” Wendy Sullivan, project coordinator for both groups, explained.

“There’s a lot of pressure on children now with adult problems like climate change; this is a way that if they are picking up on some of that tension, by phrasing this is a positive way, they feel like they’re taking a little bit of control back.”

Junior Landcare, a partnership between NZLT and the Bupa Foundation, aims “to connect people of all ages with the land through engaging, educational experiences.”

Planting Day here is one of 10 “legacy projects” for the programme this year and the third overall in Marlborough. The first was at Grovetown Lagoon. Last year’s was at Pine Valley Outdoor Centre.

Next weekend, participants will plant lancewood, five finger, karamu, marbleleaf and kanono to form a protective boundary so, Wendy said, “in the event of a wildfire, it’s less likely to accelerate. Wildfire is quite a big threat – quite a topical topic.”

Visit wairaunaturenetwork.org.nz and landcare.org.nz for more information.