Earlier this month our Minister Kate Wilkinson launched Living Legends, an exciting initiative that DOC is a major sponsor of.
Living Legends is about combining rugby and conservation by running 17 major planting projects across NZ in September and October 2011, that you can get involved in. And what’s the rugby connection? Living Legends will dedicate each planting project to a ‘Rugby Legend’ that’s been nominated by provincial rugby unions. These Rugby Legends are former or current players or administrators who have made a huge contribution to rugby in NZ.
Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson with some of the Rugby Legends: Ian MacRae, Duane Monkley, Sir Brian Lochore, Tane Norton, Kevin Laidlaw and Jock Ross.
The Northland planting is at Uretiti Rest Area and their legend is Richie Guy. Wayne Shelford is the legend for North Harbour’s planting in Long Bay Regional Park and Bryan Williams has been nominated for Auckland’s Motuihe Island planting. King Country will dedicate the planting at Whakaipo Bay Recreational Reserve to Sir Colin Meads and Christian Cullen is representing Horowhenua-Kapiti’s planting at Whareroa Farm.
Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson with Rugby Legend for Canterbury, Tane Norton.
In Tasman the Whakapuaka Wildlife Reserve planting will be dedicated to Todd Blackadder and Tane Norton is representing Canterbury at the Otukaikino Reserve. The Living Legends website has full details about where and when the plantings are happening and who all the Rugby Legends are. On the website you can also subscribe to updates and keep in the loop about what’s happening in your region.
DOC is a major sponsor of Living Legends because we love NZ’s special outdoor places and we want to give all New Zealanders and international visitors the chance to experience them and do their bit to enhance them.
Living Legends kicks-off in September 2011 but we’re investing in the project for the long-term. The aim is to plant up to 5,000 trees at each site this year and up to 10,000 at each site by 2015. It’s a big challenge and we’ll need a big team effort to get the job done, so make sure you check out the website and register your interest in getting involved.
As with most of the work DOC does, we’re not in it alone. Living Legends is a joint venture between Project Crimson and The Tindall Foundation and Meridian Energy is also a major sponsor.
