Volunteers play an important role in maintaining and developing many of the city’s parks and reserves. Their behind-the-scenes contributions are valued highly by the City Council.

On the Port Hills, helpers come alone and in groups — from recreation clubs, service organisations, education groups, companies, trusts and societies.

According to the Council rangers who help organise the effort, these volunteers are gems who turn up regularly to plant and maintain trees, help remove weeds, or create and maintain tracks.

“Time is such a precious resource in today’s society. It’s inspiring to be involved with people who give so freely of their time in dedication and enthusiasm for the natural environments they appreciate,” says Port Hills Ranger Di Carter.

“People have a passion for long-term environmental and recreational outcomes on the Port Hills, the Coast and the Plains,” she says.

People who make contact with the Council’s Ranger Service or who respond to community newspaper advertisements for volunteer planting days are listed on a volunteer database if they wish to be contacted for future events.

Ms Carter says in her area — the Port Hills — there are many individuals and organisations which are regularly putting in the hours on a variety of projects. Some are happy to take on whatever needs doing at the time, while others “adopt” an area or particular activity and develop a strong sense of ownership.

Among the people she deals with are:

• The Summit Road Society’s two working parties — the Eastenders and the Westenders — meet on the hills every week to build and repair tracks, battle woody weeds and help with plant restoration projects. They are a dedicated team of contributors to the long-term outcomes on the Port Hills.
  
• There is a growing group of keen individuals which turns out to enjoy the hills and help regularly with a variety of tasks. And, from families to the over-80s, there is something for everyone. People like Katie and Dick Leggoe. They are an active and spirited couple who, after enjoying a long walk around the hills, regularly stop to weed the gardens around the Victoria Park Visitors Centre. Katie Leggoe turned 87 in November.
  
• Many recreational groups which regularly use the Port Hills are becoming keen supporters of activities in the reserves. A busload of 50 keen Bishopdale Tramping Club members turns up in winter to plant, and a small team returns in spring and autumn to maintain the plants.

  Fortnightly weekend working bees give mountainbikers a chance to improve the tracks.

• Climbers, enlisted through word of mouth in climbing circles or through the Canterbury Mountaineering Club newsletter, have been helping to control weeds on the rock outcrops at Castle Rock and Heathcote Bluffs. Having people who can get to inaccessible weeds is invaluable and helps maintain populations of unique plants.
  
• Each year for Arbor Day school groups plant hundreds of native plants in restoration areas on the hills. Set up by the Summit Road Society about 50 years ago, this has become a tradition for many schools. Last year saw groups of keen planters from Cashmere, Beckenham and Thorrington primary schools.
  
• Other educational groups involved in restoration plantings are the Cracroft District Brownies, Halswell Scouts and an adult literacy group.
  
• Service organisations such as the Christchurch South and Heathcote Lions Clubs, and residents associations and trusts including the Heathcote Residents Association and John Britten Trust make contact with the Ranger Service to offer working parties to help with planting and track work on Port Hills reserves.
  
• Businesses are also taking part, doing their bit for environmental outcomes. Macpac, along with Landcare Research and the City Council, have a planting programme on the hills in which Macpac staff volunteer to plant areas of indigenous forest to offset their production carbon emissions.

  “It really is inspiring to work with all these people,” Di Carter says. “The Port Hills are a special feature of Canterbury, and everyone’s contribution makes a difference.”

• Got a little time, or a lot, and would like to get involved? Call 941 6844