As the founders of the Okarito Plant Project, Okarito Boat EcoTours is deeply committed to blending community involvement with the tourism experience to give back to our neighbours and the land. On a beautiful, crisp, clear day on Thursday, May 23, we embarked on another meaningful planting mission in Whataroa. The day began with the mist lingering over lakes and forests, setting a picturesque scene as we prepared to breathe new life into a cherished piece of land owned by Steve and Mike Purcell. This land, filled with memories of their family’s farming heritage, was ready for a new chapter of regeneration. While the Purcell brothers aren’t self-proclaimed environmentalists, they recognize the importance of restoring 12 acres of their farmland. They farmed the land as everyone did, always keeping some aside, and now they aim to bring back the forest that once thrived here. It’s striking how few birds we see on our planting projects—often none. Our volunteers, mostly tour operators and guides accustomed to wildlife-rich environments, hope to reintroduce birdlife to these lands. Restoring these pockets of land is beneficial for our communities, our water, our land, and all of us. The joy and fulfilment we feel from this work are indescribable. On this day, we were joined by a wonderful team of volunteers. Leading us was Sam Speight from Landcare Trust, our invaluable liaison. In just 2.5 hours, we transformed the prepared site, thanks to Mike and Steve's meticulous organization. Despite the rocky river gravel beneath our spades, we planted 265 eco-sourced native plants, ranging from carexes along the stream bed to flax, various coprosmas, ribbonwoods, and totara. Our efforts were celebrated with a well-deserved lunch at the Lonely Stag Cafe, courtesy of Steve. We enjoyed our meal while listening to Steve's engaging stories about life on the West Coast.
This was our second planting at the Purcells', building on our initial efforts in December. Next, we’ll focus on planting the edges of an old pond, now cleared of fencing and concrete. We can’t wait to rejuvenate this area with sedges and grasses. Stay tuned for more updates, and we’ll keep you posted on the return of the birds! #WestCoastNewZealand #Whataroa #SouthWestland #OkaritoPlantProject
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AuthorPaula Sheridan Archives
December 2024
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Okarito Office: 31 Wharf Street, Okarito 25 km north of Franz Josef, West Coast, South Island New Zealand 7856 CONTACT US Phone +64 (3) 753 4223 Email: [email protected] |
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