By Andrew Powazynski, Partnerships Ranger in Oamaru
On a recent sunny Sunday afternoon DOC staff in Oamaru helped the Landcare Trust out at their planting day along the banks of the Kakanui River.
Planting along the banks of the Kakanui
The planting day was a huge event, with community, public departments and businesses all coming together to plant out part of the estuary banks on the Kakanui River.
The Landcare Trust aims to improve the local river catchment water quality by engaging the local community through the planting of native plants and trees.
DOC staff provided a display on kōwhai seed collection, propagation and planting. It was a chance for us to talk with members of the community about Project Gold, a DOC initiated project dedicated to the protection and enhancement of kōwhai trees in Otago.
DOC’s display at the planting day
Fish & Game were also in attendance with freshwater aquariums set up to showcase the local native fish, such as galaxiids, eels and freshwater crayfish.
The group gets together for a briefing about the planting
The day was a success and was well attended by local families who gave up their time to beautify, help stabilise bank erosion and provide a cleaner river estuary for future local families.
