Twenty seven St Gerard’s School students lent a hand with the spring maintenance of the garden at Alexandra’s Lookout Reserve yesterday.

Keep Alexandra Clyde Beautiful (KACB), a not-for-profit group who rely on community volunteers to assist with beautifying the district, arranged the working bee and guided the year seven and eight students.

KACB coordinator Bev Thomson said the students had been helpful to get mulch down in three areas to help the plants.

“Having this number here helps us to get a lot done . . . but there is still a bit more to do,” she said.

Teacher Ollie Yeoman said there had been lots of “singing and happiness” from the students who largely enjoyed being outdoors and learning about the natives and wildlife in the area.

He said St Gerard’s School had been involved at Lookout Reserve on Little Valley Rd quite a few times and everyone got something out of it.

The students learned how much schist mulch to apply inside the rabbit circles around each seedling.

The natives the students could spot were kowhais, harakeke (flax), ribbonwood and a kanuka, which was in flower. They also named tuis, bellbirds and native skinks as wildlife that would enjoy the environment.

Pictured are year seven and eight students together with Bev (on right). PHOTO: The Central App

Lookout Reserve natives with rabbit circles in the foreground, as students were given pens, ‘be a tidy kiwi’ badges, and a small box of pebbles as acknowledgment for their help. PHOTO: The Central App

Another Central environmental organisation, Haehaeata Natural Heritage Trust (HNHT) is calling for locals to lend a hand tomorrow evening, Wednesday, December 13, from 6pm at Flat Top Hill.

Weeds and exotic grasses are smothering the seedlings that have been planted at the site so HNHT needs assistance to clear the vigorous spring growth. 

Tools can be provided, or you can bring your own weed hooks, secateurs, grubbers and gloves for the two-hour long session.

HNHT is a not for profit organisation, formed in 2017 and also operates the Clyde Railhead Community Eco Nursery.

Helpers at Flat Top Hill on a previous community planting day. PHOTO: Supplied

Participating in a planting or weeding day is a chance to discover more about the unique Central landscape and meet others interested in the environment.

The revegetation of Flat Top Hill was taken on by HNHT in 2020 after planting had been previously undertaken by the Department of Conservation from 2007 to 2011. 

HNHT is named after the Te Reo Māori name for Leaning Rock on the Dunstan range, which means “first to greet the dawn”.

Register for the session on the HNHT website or email [email protected]

Read more: Haehaeata to redevelop half mile.

Read about the history of the Flat Top Hill project here on HNHT’s website.

To find out more about KACB see their Central App listing.