SCHOOL NATIVE PLANTING COMPETITION
In 2008 an initiative was put in place by Te Ara Kākāriki and Southern Woods Tree Nursery to encourage schools within the Selwyn District to re-introduce native plants back into their schools.
An idea was launched in late 2007 to hold an annual competition for schools – to design and plant a garden which was predominantly native. The garden would then be judged, not only on its design, but on the knowledge the students had gained regarding the importance of natives whist completing the project – the students would sell it back to us.
Letters are sent to local schools at the beginning of each year, and several visits to the schools to talk to the students have been made throughout the year by Southern Woods Marketing Manager Robyne Hyndman, talking to them about local fauna and flora, general environmental affects of global warming, as well as being involved with the odd planting. The majority of students were extremely passionate about environmental issues, and the most schools have used materials either sourced locally or recycled. They have sourced donations of plants and planting accessories, and plan to do more projects in the future, which isn’t bad for ones so young!
In 2010, the prize money was split evenly between Tai Tapu School and Southbridge School. Both schools have recently registered as ‘Enviroschools’, with Tai Tapu doing a lot of planting and recycling around their schools grounds, as opposed to Southbridge, who have been busy planting the banks of the Rakaia River.
The knowledge of all of the students was immense and very, very impressive – it is encouraging for the future, which is the aim of this competition. Congratulations to all students who participated in this competition – you are a credit to your school, and thanks to all parents and teachers who encouraged and helped the students – if every school does a little native planting, it all counts.
Southern Woods and Te Ara Kākāriki are running the competition each year, with packs sent out each January. For further information phone Robyne Hyndman on 03 344 1438 or 027 733 0269 or robyn@southernwoods.co.nz .
This project is supported by the generosity of Selwyn District Council (providing prize money via the Natural Environment Fund), Mitre10 Mega Hornby (providing a brand new park bench) and Southern Woods Tree Nursery (providing planting vouchers, time for visits and tours and donations of plants for the projects).