Posted by elly nederhoff
Invite for working bee in l’Anson reserve on 19 Sept.
27 years on, I’Anson Bush Reserve is beginning to live up to its name.
In the late 1980’s, 10 hectares of land was donated by the I’Anson family to the Queen Elizabeth II
Trust for the purpose of creating a sanctuary for both people and nature. Shortly after, with lots of
planning and logistical scheming by many parties including Tauranga Forest and Bird, 1000’s of
native trees and ferns were planted by 100’s of local volunteers.
Today the reserve is transformed from a barren paddock to a burgeoning native forest, complete
with majestic lakeside Kahikatea glade. Prolific self-seeding of natives under the canopy is a sure sign
that nature is taking charge of the future. Birdsong is increasing every year. The location of I’Anson
Reserve in Loop Road, Te Puna, makes it an important wild-link from the Kaimai’s to the coast.
Unfortunately, the agreeable Bay of Plenty climate has meant that non-desirable invasive plant
species have also become established. But volunteers are working away at eliminating them, with
help from contractors.
“It is satisfying work” say the volunteers “watching the subtle changes in the canopy as the Taiwan
Cherry and Privet trees are dealt to”. Exotic Palms are also becoming established under the canopy
but make themselves obvious by their form. They are easy to remove to make way for the endemic
Nikau.
Volunteers needed – satisfaction guaranteed.
Please get in touch if you would like to be involved in taking I’Anson Reserve to a new standard
through monthly plant control working bees. If you can’t commit to regular meetings, come along
and try it out. So far, we are aiming for the third Thursday of each month, from 9.30 am until noon.
The next working bee is on 19 Sept at 9.30 am. We meet on the carpark on Loop Road, off SH2,
close to Te Puna Roundabout. Please bring suitable footwear and personal clothes, hat, gloves,
sunblock, drink, food etc if you wish, and preferably some hand tools too.
Regular volunteers for traplines are also being sought. It will take approximately 1 hour a month. All
equipment supplied.
Car pool available from Katikati.
See you there!
Kate Loman-Smith, Tauranga Forest and Bird. Ph 021-657344, email katelomansmith@gmail.com
Contact person: Elly Nederhoff
Email: ellynederhoff@gmail.com
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