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| Mahoe Reserve entrance sign |
Today we met mid afternoon (a little later than usual, giving us time
to catch up on work...and sleep in!) with Sue Jarvis, Mike Bowie, and Ralph Scott at
Mohoe Reserve to help in a restoration project restoring New
Zealand's native flora and fauna, and providing more habitats to New
Zealand's native animal species. Lincoln Envirotown Trust (LET), "a
charitable trust dedicated to fostering a community-owned process for sustainability in
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| Property of the Mahoe Reserve |
Lincoln", and founded by Sue Jarvis in 2005, who also oversees the Mahoe Reserve, which
was started in 2002 by Lincoln High School students. Many organizations
and volunteers contribute enormous efforts toward the reserve to help
restore and preserve New Zealand's vegetation, for only <5% of New
Zealand's wildlife vegetation is native in the lowlands. It is believed that the native trees and vegetation were destroyed before settlers as floods from the nearby braided rivers came through. Further degradation to this piece of land occurred when it was mined for gravel
for railroad pathways, and used for a landfill. Later, as an area was being dug up to reclaim an old rail car, and old roots from huge native
trees were unveiled so the site was prime for restoration.
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| More property of the reserve |
Today we helped bring back this ancient forest by
planting over 300 hundred plants of several different species, including
flax and cabbage tree. After a few hours work, with a clear blue sky,
brisk, cool air, and a serene setting sun, we just reflected on this
amazing opportunity we had, and the great work we're doing to help New
Zealand's biodiversity.
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| Niko and Derek busy planting |
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| Gaby and Andrea |
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| Christina, Emma (the girl's dorm RA who happily joined us) and Kacie |
~ Andrea
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