Planting dates, 2016

Since the formation of the Park in 1975, annual planting has greatly extended the original areas of native bush.  Steeper gully areas have been fenced off and the current planting plan aims to fill gradually these.

 Public plantings for 2016 are on the mornings of June 12, Jun 19 and July 17.   These are all on a Sunday but if you’re organising a  group visit we also need help on each Friday prior to the planting days to help lay the plants out on site.
Planting is from 10am to 1pm, and followed by a free BBQ.  Follow signs at park entrance to planting site.  Dress for the weather and wear suitable closed boots.  Gloves and spades are provided but feel free to bring your own.

Similar Posts

  • | |

    Woolly Nightshade

    ByPeter Jackson

    This month’s pest plant is Woolly Nightshade, also known as tobacco plant or flannel plant because its leaves have a velvety texture .  It has dense clusters of purple flowers, green or yellow berries about 1cm in size and oval, grey-green leaves. It is a major problem because its seeds are spread by birds, it colonises readily and it…

  • | |

    Banish boneseed

    ByPeter Jackson

    This month’s pest plant is boneseed, also known as salt bush. Originally brought in as an ornamental from South Africa, it proved to be a pest (surprise!) because it readily colonises dry areas and soon prevents anything else from growing. This poses a threat to our coastal vegetation. Young plants have soft pale green leaves,…

  • |

    Robins are coming

    ByPeter Jackson

    Now that whiteheads have been successfully re-introduced to Shakespear the next step is to bring back the North Island robin (toutouwai). These are very sociable little fellows, often to be seen foraging just a few meters away. They are also known to sing loud and long so we expect they will be a popular attraction….

  • |

    Alan Parker steps down

    ByPeter Jackson

    At our recent AGM Allan Parker stood down as Chairman, having overseen the Society and the Sanctuary since their inception 10 years ago. Along with Jean Bell (who died last year) he was also awarded a Community Volunteers Award 2013 by the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board of the Auckland Council. Matt Maitland, Open Sanctuary…

  • |

    The fence is working

    ByPeter Jackson

    While dotterel are known to breed at Shakespear, prior to this year none have managed to raise their chicks to fledglings. This year four pairs have had chicks, three of them surrounded by crowds of holiday-makers on Te Haruhi beach, with about two fledgings per pair. This is well ahead of the average of half…