We welcome any groups who want to help us out; it can be a great team-building exercise or just a way to contribute something practical to the project.
Read moreEnd of the Planting Season - Progress Report
Each year, we run our planting working bees each Sunday of May and August, planting is in winter to allow the plants to establish roots before the drier summer months arrive. This year, we used social media, a new website and emails to attract volunteers, and as a result we have been rewarded with lots of volunteers showing up to our working bees.
Read moreClematis paniculata in Seed Source Gully
Clematis paniculata flowering in Seed Source Gully, not to be confused with introduced invasive Clematis vitalba (old man's beard).
This is possibly the first time this species has flowered at the Manawa Karioi site in 150 years.
Although occasionally present in gardens, this is a great step towards re-establishing this plant in the local area using locally sourced seed, thereby helping to protect the local gene pool of this species.
Planted 5 years ago, this is an example of our efforts to re-establish the broad range of plants that once existed in the area.
These are female flowers - the species is diecious (has separate male and female plants). So we will need to establish a few male plants nearby to pollinate it.
Peter Russell
Podcast: $5000 grant to create new signs
Island Bay’s Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project has won a $5000 grant to erect signs and put in track markers that will help people walk local bush trails.
The money comes from the Walking Access Commission’s Enhanced Access Fund, which supports local groups to build and preserve outdoor access - especially tracks and trails.
Walking Access went to Manawa Karioi to meet Chris Livesey from the restoration project. Chris says that currently the tracks, none of which are marked, can be a confusing web for people who have not used them before. New map panels at the entrances to Manawa Karioi and colour-coded track markers will help more people to enjoy them.
Listen to the podcast here.
Annual General Meeting 2018
Are you keen to help keep the wheels of the Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project turning, or to learn more about the project?
If so, please:
come to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Manawa Karioi Society at 1.30pm Sunday 23 September 2018 at Tapu Te Ranga Marae;
consider becoming a financial member of the Manawa Karioi Society (annual subscription $20; pay at the AGM or email papripaul13@gmail.com for internet banking details);
consider joining the Society's Committee to help shape the direction of the project and to help with its implementation.
renew your membership
The context for our project is given by the Society's rather unique objectives - see below. The last year has seen good progress with additional planting, weed control and track maintenance. During the next year we will also be putting effort into track signage so that our tracks are more accessible and user-friendly. The AGM is an opportunity to collect our thoughts, review our progress and make plans for the future.