1-7 Oct ’11
As part of the Rugby World Cup events, DOC and partners have arranged a series of tree plantings around the country entitled Living Legends. Each region honours its own ex-All Black. Here in the Manawatu our Living Legend is Sam Strahan.
The Great Living Legends Muck In
Two hundred and fifty willing volunteers turned up to plant natives up in the Tararua Ranges, in an area just off the Manawatu Gorge Walk. Six buses ferried us over farmland under the wind turbines of the Tararua windfarm.
Buses grind their way up the hill
Tararua Wind Farm and Wharite Peak
Off the buses - unloading and ready for work
Our planting area had been cleared by a fire a few years ago and it hadn’t regenerated naturally. It’s a very steep site. The fittest and ablest headed right to the bottom. Those of us not quite up to the challenge of the return journey stayed nearer the top.
Arriving at the top of the planting site
Jake gets stuck in - determination
The Lovely Man planting flaxes
Cat planting a flax
Everyone got stuck in, and with plenty of stops to rehydrate we got the job done.
Our very own Living Legend - Trev takes a breather
Ex-All Black Sam Strahan taking a break
This plaque stands at the top of our new forest, it can be found at the Windy Lookout on the Gorge Walk track. The Te Apiti windfarm over on the Ruahine Range can be seen in the distance.
Bringing the field to the forest
These guys has a real workout. I wonder where used spades go when they’re no longer needed?
Spades
A tired but contented crowd head back to the buses for the ride back down the hill.
Heading back to the buses
Tararua Wind Farm, DOC
Thanks to Kay and the crew from the Department of Conservation for organising this fantastic initiative.
All these shots were taken with my trusty 50mm lens.
Click Fifty-Two 