Queen Elizabeth II trust fund wetlands

Today, yes a Saturday, we helped 2 old ladies with tree releasing on their own property. Jill and Joy have bought a piece of land, 10 hectares big, 7 years ago on the west coast. They have slowly but surely being putting the land back to its old environment of being wetlands. They rely completely from volunteers helping them maintain the place and to help plant the new trees and to keep the weeds away. They have already seen the effect as the ducks and birds are coming back to the area.

We were welcomed with rhubarb scones and tea, and with a explanation on how they started and what they are currently trying to achieve. We soon started after the talk to remove the nasty creeping plants from the native plants and cleared them all from around the tree trunks.

The creeping plant removed from the trees

and see the difference

Joy on her tractor


In the afternoon we then helped to release a new trees that had been planted a couple of months ago. The small trees were completely covered by the long grass and weeds. Apparently wellington region is experiencing its wettest summer.
Lunch time view

lunch time


Toby and the weed eater machine


After our work, GVN treated us to a lovely fish and chips meal. We bought the food an sat on the beach to enjoy the lovely weather that we were experiencing. I think it was the first day that we had so much sunshine. It was great. In all it was really a great day. They both so much appreciate the help that they can get.

Having fish and chips on the beach

the beach view