Planting for the Future

Avon-Otakaro Network, Food Resilience Network and We are Richmond supported a high-energy, meaningful tree-planting event October 19th in Richmond. Over 360 Pareawa Banks Avenue students had a go at planting over 700 trees at the swale behind Pareawa Banks Avenue School and Shirley Intermediate School–what a day it was!

Avon-Otakaro Network Network Manager Hayley Guglietta spearheaded the event, whose aim is to attract more birds and wildlife to urban areas. Shirley Intermediate student representatives sang a moving waiata, then landscape ecologist Colin Meurk taught the children correct planting methods.  Council Rangers and Community Waterways Partnership were on hand to help the students plant with varied digging tools.

The connection the children made with the earth and plants was beautiful. Even though the ground was dry from lack of rain, they never gave up digging, and were determined to plant the trees. Older students were partnered with younger students, and the atmosphere was buzzing. Everyone worked up quite an appetite!

We are Richmond supported the event and cooked a sausage sizzle to feed the large hungry crowd.

Thanks to support from Trees That Count for their donation of trees grown by Trees for Canterbury.

WE ARE RICHMOND