Community Nursery wins National Award
The Southland Community Nursery won the “plant nursery award” at the recent New Zealand Plant Conservation Network Awards.
NZPCN Newsletter - Trilepidia
“The awards recognise special people, and projects that have captured the interest of local communities. These individuals and groups are the leading guardians of our country’s native plants and ecosystems. They include Wanganui Intermediate School, a Southland plant nursery, a North Island city council, an island eco-sanctuary in the Hauraki Gulf, and dedicated plant enthusiasts and conservationists.
These awards are indicative of the huge effort that is being exerted all around the country by a large number of dedicated individuals, communities, and organisations to protect and enhance our unique native plants.
Plant Nursery
Southland Community Nursery, run by Chris and Brian Rance, won the ‘Plant Nursery Involved in Plant Conservation’ award for its unique approach to the growth, preservation and education of the public about native plant species. The nursery was nominated by three separate individuals. The nursery propagates local seeds and runs workshops through community groups and schools to teach volunteers the skills required to grow their own plants for restoration projects. The native plants grown at the nursery are planted all over Southland, on Council, Crown and privately owned property. The nursery is an invaluable resource for the province, with many schools using the nursery to teach children how to grow and care for native plants. There is a constant presence of long-time volunteers with a comprehensive knowledge base and new volunteers are regularly welcomed.
The nursery property features extensive restoration plantings linking mature kahikatea forest with shrubland and wetland. In addition, the nursery has established a Southland threatened plants garden to conserve and educate the public about threatened species and has developed a website providing information on restoration in Southland. This nursery is truly inspirational, having inspired many individuals, including the establishment of a similar Community Nursery in Bluff.”
The Christmas break up at the nursery was well attended with the usual fantastic morning smoko and a special treat - ukulele carols with Geoff, Sherry, Maggie and Jeff.
Posted: 24 December 2011