News & Events

On 13 April 2021 the Otatara Landcare Group hosted 150 SGHS students at Bushy Point as part of their Year 7 community break out days. The day included learning about pests, seed collecting and planting trees, and learning about birds in our forests. Otatara Landcare Group volunteers coordinated this with help from Mark Oster, as well as Environment Southland staff Walter Fieldes and Neville Parminter. While it was a bit wet at times, the girls were interested and enthused and had a lot of fun. Big thanks to those that helped with this day, and to the Year 7 girls for helping with the restoration of Bushy Point. OLG Chair Barry Smith did a great job overseeing the planting of almost 200 native plants. A few students are looking forward to the annual planting day at Bushy Point on Saturday September 11th – check out www.otataralandcare.org.nz/news-events/

16 March 2021 Ōreti Tōtara Dune Forest Guided Walk - see details (PDF, 1.25 MB)

Tree releasing at Bushy Point – Wednesday Nights 6.30-7.30pm

Otatara Landcare Group is organising tree releasing sessions at Bushy Point each Wednesday in February and possibly into March, from 6.30-7.30pm, weather permitting.

Meet at the Bryson Rd entrance to Bushy Point.

The plantings carried out on Tree Planting Day last September will be checked first, then we will move on to other areas where some seedlings still need releasing from encroaching grass etc if they are to survive and prosper. Various methods can be used to release the trees and suppress competing grass growth, as will be shown.

Please bring:

shoes or gumboots suitable for working in long grass

gardening gloves

clothing suitable for the expected weather conditions

a face mask if you are allergic to dust or grass seeds

safety (or other) glasses to protect eyes when weeding amid tall grass stalks

optionally, a pair of sharp garden shears suitable for cutting grass.

Please contact Douglas Black on 022 104 8661 for more information or to find out where we are working on the night.

Tree releasing at Bushy Point – Wednesday Nights 6.30-7.30pm

Otatara Landcare Group is organising tree releasing sessions at Bushy Point each Wednesday in February and possibly into March, from 6.30-7.30pm, weather permitting.

Meet at the Bryson Rd entrance to Bushy Point.

The plantings carried out on Tree Planting Day last September will be checked first, then we will move on to other areas where some seedlings still need releasing from encroaching grass etc if they are to survive and prosper. Various methods can be used to release the trees and suppress competing grass growth, as will be shown.

Please bring:

shoes or gumboots suitable for working in long grass

gardening gloves

clothing suitable for the expected weather conditions

a face mask if you are allergic to dust or grass seeds

safety (or other) glasses to protect eyes when weeding amid tall grass stalks

optionally, a pair of sharp garden shears suitable for cutting grass.

Please contact Douglas Black on 022 104 8661 for more information or to find out where we are working on the night.

Chilean Flame Creeper pulling at Bowman Bush Otatara Monday 25 January 2021 – meet at Spence Avenue entrance to Bowman Bush at 7pm – leader Jesse Bythell QEII

Our annual Flame creeper pulling event – please come and help us keep on top of this invasive weed. Bring your own gloves and wear footwear that is good for off track

Lots of time to ask about other weeds of Otatara and quiz Jesse about QEII Covenants and help in one of Otatara’s reserves

Chris

Secretary

Otatara Landcare Group

The Summer Pigeon Post is here - thanks to Lesley and all the contributors. Lots of good ideas for summer holidays and a good read - enjoy a restful Christmas and New Year from the Otatara Landcare group