Posted: 21 June 2007
1000 trees planted at Ocean Beach
More than 1000 trees have been planted at Whangarei’s Ocean Beach as part of a ongoing joint revegetation project now into its second year.
Members of the local community joined partners the Northland Regional Council, QEII Trust, Honda NZ Tree Fund, Project Crimson and the Department of Conservation’s Bio Fund at the recent planting day.
The joint-venture has seen 5000 trees planted on protected private land at Ocean Beach over the past two years. The project aims to recreate the coastal forest that once existed there.
Kathy Mortimer, a Land Management Officer with the Northland Regional Council, says it’s hoped that in a few years time, the thousands of trees planted in the area will provide “a stunning backdrop to the beach and serve as a valuable ecological link to the nearby Bream Head Reserve”.
She says the group’s work has been boosted by a number of valuable contributions, including those from the private sector via the Honda NZ Tree Fund.
“The Honda fund alone is expected to contribute more than $30,000 over three years via a share of a national fund that Honda dealerships contribute to each time a new vehicle is sold.
Schemes like this, as well as invaluable contributions from the local community, enable these sorts of large-scale projects that otherwise might struggle for funds.
.jpg)
Tina Pointon, left, and Whangarei-based Northern Honda General Manager Geoff Pointon plant a pohutukawa at Ocean Beach recently. (Photo: Nan Pullman)