Community turns out for Buller River Delta Reforestation Project
Kotahitanga mō te Taiao Alliance
Martins Creek Estuary, a remnant of coastal wetland on the south side of the Buller River Delta, has been getting reforestation attention from The Restoring and Protecting Flora Project during its final months, thanks to philanthropic donations through TNC NZ.
Youthful volunteers at the Martins Creek Planting Day
Over the last three years, The Flora Project has carried out significant weed control and restoration planting in Buller Kawatiri at several sites around the Buller River Delta, contributing strong biodiversity gains, enhanced recreational experiences and climate change resilience, as well as bringing community groups together to take part in restoration work.
The two sites at Martins Creek Estuary were recently acquired by the Department of Conservation for the high ecological value of the adjacent saltmarsh and kahikatea lowland forest. Since DOC had no budget for reforestation work to expand these native ecosystems the donation was timely. The availability of labour from MBC Environmental currently funded by the DOC Jobs for Nature initiative, along with support from over 30 volunteers from local community groups and schools, meant that 5,600 trees could be purchased from local suppliers to reforest a portion of the ecologically significant site.
Martins Creek Bridge, Kawatiri Coast Trail
The planting was carried out in an area close to the Kawatiri Coastal Cycle Trail between Westport and Carters Beach at the Kūkūwai Reserve, so it is highly visible to the community. Project Manager Hudson Dodd said he hopes the visibility of the planting will encourage more local people to get involved in community conservation,
“We are seeing growing support in Buller for projects that improve biodiversity, especially in areas vulnerable to climate change where nature-based solutions to sea level rise can be important. Bringing the community together around conservation activities has been one of the legacy outcomes of the Flora Project.”
A second reforestation phase in August this year will see another 4000 plants go in the ground at the Kūkūwai Reserve.