Brooklyn Community Celebrates Major Milestones in Restoration and Weed Control

The Brooklyn community has marked a significant year of environmental action, celebrating major progress on both the Brooklyn Stream planting project and the ongoing battle against Old Man’s Beard (OMB). Led by the tireless efforts of Kim Burridge and supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, these projects are strengthening biodiversity, restoring streambanks, and protecting one of the valley’s most treasured native forest remnants.

A Thousand Native Plants in the Ground

In September 2025, the community completed a major milestone: 1,000 native plants established along a 240‑metre stretch of streambank between the Brooklyn Stream and Vaila Orchards. The land, owned by Vaila Orchard, is being restored and cared for by the community under an MOU.

A core group of eight volunteers has driven the project, supported by around 30 people on the mailing list. Much of the work has happened informally—locals dropping by to weed, water, or check on plants—making it difficult to tally the total hours contributed. But the results speak for themselves.

“We’re feeling really pleased with how the native plants are settling in along the stream bank,” Kim says. “The regular summer cloudbursts have helped, and overwhelmingly the plants are growing well.”

The project has been made possible through grants and resources from Tasman District Council, Motueka Catchment Collective, and donated materials from local businesses. Vaila Orchard also generously donated Gold Victory concentrate, enabling volunteers to keep convolvulus under control.

Helen and Kim have led the weed management, supported by Sam’s line‑trimming and the many locals who “pop down for a quick bit of weeding.” As Kim puts it, “Anyone is more than welcome to wander through and pluck weeds whenever they feel like it!”

Five pest traps are now in place, managed by Dean and Nick, with hopes of intercepting the stoats recently spotted by water testers Paul, Nick, and Joe.

The ecological response is already visible. Kākāriki and ngirungiru have been seen within 2 km of the site, adding to the resident karearea, kererū, tūī, korimako, kotare, pīwakawaka, riroriro and others. The group is excited to see how the expanding native plantings will support these species.

Old Man’s Beard: 300 Volunteer Hours and Counting

Since August 2023, the Brooklyn OMB group has held monthly Saturday morning working bees, typically drawing 3–10 volunteers. Supported by MCC with tools and materials, the group has now contributed over 300 volunteer hours to controlling OMB across key areas of the valley.

Their focus includes:

• 1.7 km of roadside from Brooklyn School to just past Brooklyn Reserve, protecting the reserve’s original native forest
• 1 km along Motueka River West Bank Road through to Blue Gum Corner

“Two and a half years on, I would love to say we’re well on our way to eradicating OMB in the Brooklyn area,” Kim says, “but it turns out that might not be realistic! However, we do feel really happy about the way in which we’ve brought it under control between the school and the Brooklyn Reserve.”

The group recently met to reflect on their progress. “We gave ourselves a large pat on the back and agreed we’d continue the good fight into 2026!”

While some large infestations remain—particularly past Bert’s Bridge—the group is heartened by the steady reduction in vine density and confident that their work is making a real difference.

Next Steps and Funding Applications

The first OMB working bee of 2026 will take place on Sunday 15 February, revisiting roadside hedges in the Brooklyn Valley. These vines are accessible and important to manage as they disperse seed toward the reserve.

The group is also seeking funding to contract local pest expert Steve Holloway to tackle three of the most challenging infestations, including the area around Mickell Road bridge. If successful, Steve will complete the initial knock‑down, with the community taking on long‑term maintenance.

Funding is also being sought for a heavy‑duty line trimmer and robust secateurs to support both the planting and OMB projects.

A Community Effort Worth Celebrating

The achievements of the past two and a half years reflect the dedication, persistence, and community spirit of everyone involved. Under Kim Burridge’s leadership, volunteers have restored habitat, protected native forest, and strengthened biodiversity across the Brooklyn Valley.

These projects show what’s possible when local people take collective action for the places they love. And with momentum building, 2026 promises even more progress for the Brooklyn community and its thriving natural environment.