Today is Arbor Day
Wellingtonian trees in Cheviot Hills Reserve, planted between 140 and 160 years ago.
Today is 5 June, marking Arbor Day and more recently World Environment Day.
On the first Arbor Day a million trees were planted. That was just over 150 years ago, the first official day to celebrate and appreciate trees.
It began in Nebraska City, Nebraska.
World Environment Day was initiated 50 years ago, each year highlighting a different theme. The official theme for 2026 is climate change, which is a neat fit with Arbor Day, as planting trees is something that everyone can do to help with climate change.
All over the Hurunui District there are groups of volunteers from all ages and walks of life, restoring, protecting and enhancing our natural environment.
Groups also focus on particular parts of the landscape, such as the Jed River Restoration Project in Cheviot, the Northern Pegasus Bay Coastcare Group, the Birdsong Project in the Scargill Motunau Reserve, and the Island Hills Station Mandamus Conservation Trust. The Port Robinson Reserve Project has been planting for more than 20 years, now focussed on weed control within the forest they’ve planted. Hurunui College and The Lions have been planting along the Balmoral Lookout track.
There is a great deal of trapping being undertaken in the Boyle Village and surrounds, and a group of keen trampers are trapping in the Doubtful and Nina Valleys, creating safe habitat for kiwi and whio. Trapping and weeding are a focus of the Te Tihi o Rauhea Hanmer Springs Conservation Trust, and Hurunui Weedbusters hold events from the coast to the mountains, tackling weeds that threaten vulnerable nature.
Landowners have always been at the forefront of caring for nature, and there are farmer-led catchment groups right across the district, trapping and planting, as well as fencing indigenous remnants to exclude wild deer, and goats.
New groups are forming, such as the Amberley Environmental Restoration Group which will care for Hurunui District Council’s (HDC) newly acquired wetland on Stanton Road, and catchment groups are just starting up in the Waikari and the Greta Valleys. The Hurunui District Youth Council is looking to take on an environmental project.
Many of these projects are supported by HDC’s Water and Land Coordinator, Rima Herber.
Please contact Rima if you’d like information on any of the conservation efforts in Hurunui, or are interested in volunteering.
Ph: 027 872 2329
Email: rima.herber@hurunui.govt.nz
