23
The Weekend Sun
Running carbon free Offsetting an events carbon emission with ‘carbon credits’ is certainly a point of difference for the Tauranga Trail Run and the inaugural event was so successful they are already looking ahead to 2012. The event, held in October last year, is officially the first carboNZero Certified sports event in New Zealand. The event was designed as a fundraiser for Tauranga Boys’ College cross country team to help cover annual expenses which are in the range of $20,000. Organiser Scott Furness says the event had its carboNZero registration fee and certification fee waived as sponsorship, which was worth more than $2000. “We have had to complete an Emission Management Plan prior to the event and a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Report following the event.” CarboNZero certification is internationally recognised as a credible and robust greenhouse gas certification achievement, meaning the event off-sets all carbon emissions after the event via an auditing process following the presentation of the event’s
Emissions Inventory Report. To offset the runner’s carbon emissions, runners were encouraged to plant a native tree alongside the course. This year, 500 trees were planted along a five metre wide strip next to Te Ara o Raho Road. Scott says it is envisaged that in time, these trees will create a corridor of native
Growing sub-tropical ‘stunners’ Breeze says the plants are Gardeners can learn all looking “stunning” at the about sub-tropical bromemoment, with intensely liads at the Bay of Plenty coloured foliage and flowBromeliad Club open day on Wednesday, February 8. ers out. The open day is at the The open day will Tauranga Yacht Club, at include a talk on growing the end of Sulphur Point, the easy-care plants, along from 12.30-2.30pm. For with a chance to talk to more details phone Lynley growers and buy plants. 07 576 7711. Club president Lynley Bethlehem bromeliad enthusiast Garry Schroder with some of his sub-tropical “beauties”. Photo by Tracy Hardy.
Friday 3 February 2012 Participants were encouraged to plant trees to offset their carbon emissions or a member of the Tauranga Boys’ Cross Country team would plant one for them.
flora that becomes a highlight of the park’s western activity zones. He says Tauranga Boys’ College will also continue to ‘pay it forward’ with working parties that construct and maintain trails at the TECT All Terrain Park. For more information about the event and next year’s details visit www.taurnagatrailrun.co.nz By Laura Weaser