Planting days in the north, south and west this Sunday

Aucklanders are invited to pick up their spades and help plant native trees at three regional parks this coming Sunday.

The weekend's events are spread around the region at Shakespear Regional Park (Whangaparaoa), Ambury Regional Park (Mangere) and Whatipu in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.

New trees are planted to protect park life including, native plants, birds, fish and insects and their support systems and food supplies. Planting helps maintain and enhance biodiversity.

Planting also nurses damaged ecosystems back to health and speeds up natural regeneration. It can provide models * parks are a giant version of what your backyard could be like * that are green, lush and alive. Planting also helps to reduce flooding and erosion, and improve water quality in our rivers and beaches making them safer for swimming.
Details of this weekend's three planting days are as follows.

Shakespear Regional Park
Sunday 13 June, 10am onwards

Tree planting at Shakespear Regional Park will help offset the effects of forest stripping and farming. It will lure birds from Tiritiri Matangi Island over the sea - part of our plan to restore the dawn chorus to the land. This planting day will also give volunteers the opportunity to learn about the Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society and the concept of developing a native wildlife sanctuary at the park.

Meet: in the campground (Follow State Highway 1 and take the Silverdale off ramp. Go through Silverdale, turn right on to Whangaparaoa Road and follow the signs to the end of the peninsula.)

Ambury Regional Park
Sunday 13 June, 10am onwards

Tree planting at Ambury Regional Park will provide shelter and windbreaks for visitors and animals as well as roosting places for shore birds. It will merge planting with adjoining Watercare Services restoration and restore natural vegetation on what is now a rare example of a coastal lava field.

Meet: behind the park office (Take the airport motorway and follow the signs from the Mangere Bridge off ramp.)

Whatipu, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
Sunday 13 June, 10am onwards

Planting at Whatipu will reduce erosion, extend previous planting and establish native plants where weeds once were.

Meet: at the Whatipu carpark. (To get to Whatipu follow Huia Rd from Titirangi. Drive through Huia and Little Huia and then onto Whatipu Rd. Follow this winding metal road to the end.)

What to bring
Work boots or enclosed shoes (not sandals), a spade (if you have one), gloves, a jacket, snacks and water bottle (it's thirsty work). We provide a sausage sizzle for lunch at each of the planting days.

© Scoop Media