I have recently offered some volunteer time to help The Friends of Maara Roa.
Here is some background information on the group:
The story is told that in former times a Maori woman, name unknown, tended a garden on a long strip of land somewhere in the northern side of this valley. She grew fruit and vegetables there, and shared them generously with Maori and Pakeha alike. So well-known did she become for her hospitality, that travellers called her home "The Long Garden - Maara Roa.The nearby Marae has honoured her by naming the Wharenui "Ukaipo Hiato" - the gathering place of the mother who provides for all the people.The Friends of "Nga Hoa o Maara Roa" intend to recreate a forest "garden" here, whose pleasures can be similarly shared by all in years to come.
Objectives
The objectives of the Friends of Maara Roa for this valley are to:
· Enhance and restore the native forest
· Guard and develop it for public ownership and enjoyment
· Cooperate with City and Regional Councils and other bodies
· Provide a venue for educational activities
· Protect all its indigenous flora and fauna
What the society does
· Grow native seedlings
· Plant and look after new native trees
· Protect existing bush
· Improve freshwater wetland
· Control pest animals and weeds
· Reinstate the big native trees
· Follow bio-diversity principles
· Open new walking tracks
· Plan for the future reserve
What we hope for
· The whole valley in public ownership
· Year round access for walks in the bush
· Mitigation of motorway impacts
· Future bush corridor across the hills to Petone
How can YOU help?????????????
· Native forest monitoring
· Collecting seeds
· Growing seedlings at home
· Helping with organisation
· Fundraising and sponsorship
· Removing exotic plants or trees
· Joining the pest control team
· Giving donations
· Lobbying, networking
· Environmental or planning advice
· Surveys
If you business is looking for an initiative to link to your corporate CSR activities then why not do you bit for nature by planting and caring for native trees in the 100ha Maara Roa Native Forrest? It is located in the Belmont Regional Park.
3 Ways to Help - Group Volunteers -Adopt a spot and Offering expertise!
For more information contact sylvan@actrix.co.nz for more information
