🌱 Honouring Roger Gaskell at Otuwhero Wetland
On Friday 13th June, the core of Nelson-Tasman’s conservation workers & volunteers met up for a Memorial to remember and honour the late Roger Gaskell.
Roger was a botanist, an ex DOC Biodiversity Officer & a passionate advocate for preserving endangered native plant species & community restoration. He was a great Tōtara in our Community Forest & his enthusiasm; knowledge & generous heart are hugely missed from the many organisations, including Motueka Catchment Collective, of which he was a part.
The Memorial started with a Ceremony & the unveiling of a plaque on a seat overlooking the Otuwhero Wetland. People spoke of the impact of Roger & his work, noting how he shared so much of his extensive knowledge & how that knowledge has impacted this District and will continue to do so.
Whilst there was much sadness over the loss of a friend & and an inspirational figure, the group of almost 90 people were fortified by an amazing spread of food courtesy of Cindy, Roger’s partner, before commencing the planting section of the Memorial.
As Roger was such a stalwart of restoration projects, the attendees were keen to demonstrate their commitment to the environment & to Rogers’ legacy & planted 1200 plants! The planting time was full of connection & catch ups as the group was made up of likeminded people working or volunteering in Conservation & the mood lifted, the sadness being replaced by a sense of community & purpose.
The day ended at approximately 3pm with all plants in the ground & an amazingly positive feeling. On arrival people had been impressed with the work done so far at Otuwhero & now they had made their own contribution, as a community, in the name of Roger Gaskell
