BAR group members distributes 1200 native plants to catchment properties
MCC’s Biodiversity and Restoration Thematic Group member and new chair, Annette Litherland recently ran a survey to determine which landowners in the Motueka catchment needed some native plants for their restoration projects. This was because the local community nurseries, including the Motueka Department of Conservation community nursery had around 1200 excess native plants that could no longer be held and needed to be planted this planting season.
Around 20 landowners responded that they’d love some plants, so Annette determined that each landowner could be allocated approximately 50 – 60 plants each. Annette originally planned to deliver these native plants herself, but came down with covid. In true collaborative style, she contacted some of her colleagues to ask for help. This included other members of the MCC’s Biodiversity and Restoration (BAR) group, Bill McKinlay and Ollie Langridge. Bill and Ollie have their own nurseries, Bill’s nursery actually supplying many Dovedale locals with native plants. They both agreed to do the deliveries.
So on Monday 29th September they set off around the catchment – visiting properties from Tapawera to Ngātimotī to Motueka township, delivering native plants to their very thankful recipients.
Thanks so much Bill and Ollie, and the MCC BAR team! This shows the spirit and collective energy of the MCC and the catchment community to pull together.
All the best to those who’ve received native plants. We’d love to see them planted up. Contact dana@motuekacatchment.org.nz with any photos.