Conservation Week got off to a great start in the Matakerepu Reserve, last Sunday morning when approximately 500 native seedlings were planted. Around forty people, both locals, and volunteers from further afield, gathered at the Wainui Gorge lay-by at 10.00am, with boots and spades at the ready.

Tim Senior, Pest Plant Officer with EBOP, Opotiki, explained the project briefly, before every one spread out to dig and plant. Wild invasive Japanese walnuts were cut out of the reserve in previous years, and other weed pests sprayed. In time it is expected that the surrounding mature native bush will reclaim the valley floor. Sunday’s planting was to give the process a head-start.

A free BBQ lunch and cuppa was provided to participants at the conclusion of planting.

Revegetation in the area will again get a boost next Sunday, 7 August, when volunteers are invited to meet at Burke Road and Wainui Road corner at 9.00am. It is hoped to plant a similar number of native plants on two sites in this area then.