VOLUNTEER PLANTING DAYS

Join ECan’s ranger and biodiversity teams on one of their epic tree planting days alongside the Waimakariri River. Did you know that native vegetation covers just 0.5 percent of the Canterbury lowland plains? ECan aims to increase this a little by planting 8,500 trees this season.

Native planting provides a wide range of benefits including increasing native biodiversity, creating habitat for native wildlife (insects, reptiles and birds), stabilising soil, recreating ecological corridors, enhancing water quality and landscapes and providing a sense of place on our rivers.

Planting Venues:

• The Sanctuary Wetland is the largest and broadest remaining lowland freshwater complex of floodplain, backswamp, swamp forest and spring-fed stream on the Lower Waimakariri River. Due to its regional significance, it has been identified as a priority area for wetland enhancement within the Lower Waimakariri Regional Park. More than forty native plant species have been observed here along with healthy populations of various native birds.

A significant portion of the site represent precursors of kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides) forest of which the only remaining example on the Canterbury Plains is found at Riccarton Bush. Restoration of a kahikatea swamp forest is an important part of the overall landscape management for sustaining and enhancing this ecosystem across the north Canterbury Plains.

• Rock Spur/Lorimas is located on the south bank of the Waimakariri River slightly downstream of The Sanctuary Wetland. The area contains over forty remnant kōwhai trees amongst many other species such as karamu, tī kōuka, tutu and harakeke. There is a large shingle braid which is used by braided river birds for breeding. Banded dotterels (Charadrius bicinctus) especially, seem to like the area but also black-fronted tern (Sterna albostriata) and wrybill/ngutuparore (Anarhynchus frontalis) have been returning to breed. Restoration in this area seeks to restore the local ecosystem, improve habitat for the local fauna and continue the native corridor consistent with the Ngāi Tahu concept of Ki Uta Ki Tai which seeks to manage our lands holistically from the mountains to the sea.

Planting Days:

Friday 7th July 2023: Come

Plant with Me! (KidsFest Planting Event at Bailes Island Picnic Area)

Saturday 22nd July 2023:

Forest & Bird Planting - The Sanctuary

Saturday 29th July 2023: Rock

Spur/Lorimas

Saturday 5th August 2023:

Sanctuary Wetland

Saturday 12th August 2023:

Rock Spur/Lorimas

Saturday 26th August 2023:

Rock Spur/Lorimas Road.

What to bring:

• Sturdy, closed-toe shoes that you don’t mind getting a bit muddy, this is critical for Health and Safety considerations. Hiking shoes are great!

• Warm and waterproof clothes. At least one warm top layer and a rain jacket.

• Gardening gloves (some will be available but bring your own if you have them)

• Sun hat and sunscreen.

• Reusable water bottle (filled up and ready to go)

ECan will provide:

• Trees and guards

• A planting tutorial

• Spades

• Tea and coffee to start the day

• Health and Safety briefing

• First aid kit and first aid trained staff

• Toilets.