Cooler Weather, Strong Mahi at Our Latest Ōwhango Alive Working Bee
Thankfully, the cooler conditions were on our side for the five staunch volunteers who turned out for our recent Ōwhango Alive working bee.
Dean and Mark kicked things off by tidying up the Swimming Hole area with the weedeaters, before moving downstream of the Whakapapa Bridge to tackle more weedeating and privet removal. With privet currently flowering, its clusters of white blooms made it easy to spot and remove. There is still plenty more to deal with, so we are hoping to organise another effort before Christmas.
Meanwhile, Trish, Emma (pictured above), and Sally focused on freeing newly planted native trees from encroaching bracken and grass. They also took on a determined blitz of honeysuckle, a pretty but invasive exotic vine that strangles native plants. With the honeysuckle in flower, it was the perfect time to hack and haul it out.
A big thank you also goes to the Department of Conservation, who deployed Ant and Richard to weedeat and mow the picnic area at the Whakapapa Bridge, helping keep this popular spot safe and welcoming for the community.
All in all, it was a productive and satisfying morning’s work. Meitaki e aro’a nui to everyone involved for giving their time and energy to protect our local environment.
#VolunteersMakeADifference #ŌwhangoAlive #ConservationHeroes #WorkingBee
