Canterbury Plantout tour – Sunday 7th April
Want to hear about current restoration projects, what worked, what didnt, whats the point?
Why not join us on Sunday 7th April on a tour of some of the 2012 Canterbury Plantout sites. Owners will be there to talk about their site and answer your questions along with local ecologists focussing on birds, invertebrates and native plants.
Free BBQ lunch at the end of the tour but you must RSVP. A copy of the invitation can be found at http://www.kakariki.org.nz/home/attachment/invite_info/ and for maps go to http://www.kakariki.org.nz/home/attachment/invite_maps/
If you would like more information or to RSVP email register@kakariki.org.nz
What is TAK about?
The amount of remaining native vegetation in Canterbury is one of the lowest in New Zealand. Less than 1% of the original vegetation remains and the majority of the region is classified as either ‘acutely threatened’ and ‘at risk’ or ‘critically under-protected’ (Walker, et al., 2006). In the Selwyn District the situation is even more critical where less than 0.5% of the native vegetation remains (Meurk, pers. comm.).
The Te Ara Kākāriki Greenway Canterbury Trust was established in 2006 to promote native plants and native plant communities on the Canterbury Plains. TAK is a community initiative that meets the needs of a growing number of people wishing to make use of native plants – for all reasons. The name was inspired by the native Kākāriki – the endangered yellow-crowned and orange-fronted green parakeets. Te Ara means pathway and Kākāriki also means green.
Kākāriki, the Yellow-crowned (Cyanoramphus auriceps) and Orange-fronted Parakeet (C. malherbi) are an icon species and inspiration for Te Ara Kākāriki, rather than the focus of our concept. It is the long term vision of the project to see the return of these species to the Plains area. Historic records suggest that in the later years of the 1800s, when beech tree seed was bountiful during mast seeding years, the parakeets would have a breeding boom and disperse from upland valley forest onto the Canterbury Plains.
A major objective of the Trust is to encourage and provide assistance to both public and private landowners in the protection of existing indigenous vegetation and in the establishment of new areas of biodiversity plantings, otherwise known as “Greendots”.
We are always looking for financial support, interested landowners, and volunteers to get involved with the work of the Trust to build on the progress being made across the Canterbury plains. For more information on TAK, see the TAK brochure.
Hi there. Just read your article in the University of Canterbury magazine, and have made plans for this weekend. But I was wondering if you could add me to your e-mail list so I can hear about up-coming plantings. I’d love to get involved, as I’d love to come down and help out!
Hi, I have been in touch with Brooke about speaking to our group which is Pegasus U3A, Botany/geology subgroup. As she is unable to visit us this time, she has suggested that two ladies from your group could come speak to us. The meeting date is Monday 5 September at 10am. We usually have about 40 or so members. If these ladies can help out I can give details of where we meet and info about visual aids etc. Look forward to hearing from you.
Neil
Hi Neil. Our Secretary Helen Chambers and Alison bower are booked in for coming along to your meeting on Monday 5 September. Can you email details to office@kakariki.org.nz. Thanks Brooke
As a resident of the Papanui and as retired teacher of Papanui High School I have a vision to bring back part of the Papanui Bush and in so doing native birds into the area. As well as this on the same land along with the Papanui Heritage group we want to develop a museum as an ecological learning centre and to save Papanui Archives.
It is early days yet. I have produced an information booklet with site plans etc and am presently trying to set up some form of Governance and a management team.
Denis McMurtrie
Hi Denis, congratulations on getting the ball rolling with your project. If you email through your information booklet, we can see whether TAK can assist in any way. Our email is office@kakariki.org.nz
I am an interested landowner. I live at Glenroy on SHW72 10 km from Glentunnel & the Golf Course. I have looked at the native area & would like to be able to do a similar thing at home. I have found establishing natives a challenge. After finding an amazing source of plants which established in our area, the nursery closed. I am happy to throw money & effort into this project.
Hi Helen, we have nearly finished our planting for the 2011 year, but will be organising site visits to new sites in November. I have added you to our list and will email in October to come and visit your site. Thanks for your interest, Brooke
We, in Dunsandel, are enthusiastic about establishing ‘green dots’ in this area. Historical and on-going loss of biodiversity, together with recent removal of shelter belts, have ensured urgent need for much environmental compensation. Farmers around Dunsandel will, I am sure, be very keen to assist with land pockets for this project.
Hi Peter. Thanks for your email and interest in the greendot project. We are gearing up for a plantout weekend on the 10th and 11th of September and would welcome you along. I have added you to our list and will make contact in October, to come out and chat about potential greendots in your area.
The Kain family want to include an address to which cheques made out to the Te Ara Kakariki Greenway Trust can be posted in memory of Bill Kain who died on Friday 25 March. The Order fo Service for the funeral needs to be printed tomorrow Tuesday 29 March. What address can we give please. Kind regards. Barrie Keenan
We are in the process of setting up online payments as we upgrade our site. Until this occurs donations can be made by cheque to Te Ara Kakariki, 32 Larsen Rd, Halswell