Arbor Day Launch For Revegetation Projects

Arbor Day plantings on June 5 will initiate work on the McCormacks Bay green corridor and launch Port Hills revegetation projects for the year 2000.

Additional planting of toetoe at the mouth of the Mt Pleasant Stream and Avon-Heathcote Estuary will be undertaken by Mt Pleasant School pupils and the Council's Water Services Unit. Members of the public are welcome to join in from 1.00-3.00pm. For details phone Community Liaison Officer Martin Lukes 371-1807.

The Mt Pleasant Stream is the backbone of the green corridor which will link the Port Hills Forest remnants with the estuary. Planting along the stream, flowing between Soleares Avenue and Mt Pleasant Road, will encourage birds, insects and invertebrates to move through the habitat.

Port Hills 2000 is launching its millennium projects with planting at Hoon Hay Reserve. Its projects include a Crater Rim native forest, revegetation of gullies as ecological corridors and planting in association with penguin protection at Godley Head.

Interested schools and individuals are invited to take part in the planting. For details contact Diane Menzies, Port Hills 2000 chairperson, phone 322-8684.

Other Arbor Day activities include a special programme offered by the Christchurch Botanic Gardens Education Team on June 4 and 5 and other plantings in the Port Hills, South New Brighton and Halswell Quarry.