A foggy, freezing start yesterday (Tuesday May 16) did not deter Clyde School students from digging in.

The students walked to the Clyde railhead eco nursery to learn about biodiversity before planting 31 native seedlings in Miners Lane.

Principal Steph Kitto said the new planting project was a joint effort between Clyde School and Haehaeata Natural Heritage Trust (HNHT), which runs the eco nursery.

“We are really keen to get the Clyde community behind this project and to help maintain this area… there will be working bees and we’ll be working together on Miners Lane,” Steph said. 

Fifteen children from the school ventured to the eco nursery first where they found out about how seeds were collected, nurtured and then used as seedlings for community planting.

At 11.30am HNHT project coordinator Rachel Baxter met 35 students from year four to year eight, along with teachers and parent volunteers, and kicked off the planting near the new Miners Lane playground.

Rachel spoke about each species being planted and why it was important for bird, insect or lizard life.

Mountain beech, cabbage trees, broadleaf, flax, and mountain coprosma were planted, as well as the nationally endangered Hector’s tree daisy (Olearia hectorii). 

Children watched Rachel demonstrate how to clear the grass and prepare the holes to give the seedlings the best chance of survival. 

Rachel asked the children to imagine Central as a woodland, which it once was, where Kakapo, Moa, Haast Eagle, and Tuatara all used to live.

She said mixing up the plant species when planting was important to attract different species of birds, insects and lizard life back to the area.

Mitchell, Elli and Kate (all 11) took turns to dig the hole for their flax seedling. 

Lynne Stwart, who has been in Central for 37 years, was part of the team which got ‘Project Gold’ underway at the start of the River Track (on the Earnscleugh side of the Clyde Bridge) ten years ago.

She said was heartened to see and hear bellbirds (korimako) in the area and pointed out a harrier overhead. 

The sun came out at planting time for Marco (8), Tyler and Cohen (both 12). 

Representatives from the junior classes at Clyde School returned in the afternoon to fit rabbit proof nets and water the seedlings.

Students’ feedback was that it was cool to learn about the plants and to be outside the classroom in nature.

The cost of the plants was covered by Contact Energy and Weka Landscaping donated compost.

For more on the HNHT nursery see its website.

PHOTOS: The Central App