One day and short term projects
Working bees on the Ohakune Old Coach Rd
When: the third Saturday in each month, so:
September 19, October 17 and November 21, 2009. Then we will determine if we need more days out there.
Where: meet at the Ohakune Railway Station or Horopito depending on which section we are working on.
Description: to continue our progress in completing the restoration of this historic 18km route for cyclists and walkers. The first section and Hapuawhenua viaduct are done. Just 11kms to go! Work will vary from planting, vegetation clearance, track work and promoting the route.
Fitness/Skills: All. There is always something for people to do – including keeping the billy on!
Number Required: 8
Dactylanthus Pollination
When:three days during the week of March 1-5, 2010
Where:Kakaramea. Meet at TNHS office 8.30am.
Description: This project is centred around the important Dactylanthus taylorii population at Kakaramea, near Mt. Tihia. This site has been classified as a priority site nationally for the recovery of this threatened plant. Female flowers will be hand pollinated and the sex of each plant to be recorded so we have a more accurate understanding of the number of female plants that need to be caged with stainless steel. This will also give us information of how close we are to achieving the long term recovery plan goal of having at least 100 protected female clumps at this site
Fitness/Skills: Low-Medium
Wetland Restoration
When: Wednesday 10 March 2010
Where: Waimarino wetland demonstration site near Motuoapa. Meet at TNHS office 8.30am.
Description: Over the last 8 monthsthe area will have been cleared and sprayed, willows killed, ready for this planting. We will have 1000+ plants to put in the ground, plants that we have been growing on in our nursery for the last two years. This site will demonstrate how the South Taupo wetlands can look after restoration.
Fitness/Skill: Low
Ranunculus ternatifolius (miniature buttercup) collection
When: Wednesday 24 February 2010
Where: Erua Conservation area. Meet outside the Whakapapa Visitor Centre 9.00am
Description: Ranunculus ternatifolius is a threatened wetland plant. DOC is trying to improve its abundance and distribution to secure numbers. We will survey the habitat while the buttercup is flowering, undertake hand weeding and collect plants to be potted on for transplanting in the future.
Fitness/Skills: Low/Medium. The work will mostly be done on hands and knees.
Registration: If you are interested in helping on any of these projects contact TNHS, Phone (07) 386 6499 or email: info@tongariro.org.nz
There is no way we would be able to do a fraction of the work we do without our volunteers. Our projects are so successful because we have a dedicated group of local volunteers who we can call on at anytime.
However, it would be great to have more!! Anyone who is interested in helping out on short term activities i.e. 1-7 days or so would be very welcome. Give us a call or send us an email to find out what we are up to.
If you are driving through Turangi and have some time and energy to give for a worthwhile cause, we would be happy to hear from you.
Photos from some of our volunteeer projects.
Our main summer event is the
Land Rover Tussock Traverse,
to be held on 30 January 2010, a safe friendly fun event. Check out the information and enter!
Visit the Old Coach Road website for more information on this fascinating part of central North Island history