SOSSI and Tuesday volunteers have completed a major upgrade of the Sossi nursery, with financial support from Auckland Council and Pub Charity.
We have committed to producing around 10,000 plants every year for re-vegetation planting so there is lots of work to be done, and new volunteers would be most welcome to help.
The planned planting site for 2018 was changed after the storm in May 2017 which caused a major slip adjacent to the Lookout Track. This massive rainfall neared 200mm and this slip at the end of the airstrip was the major site of damage in the park. It is hoped that the plants will help…
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…
SOSSI founding Chairman Allan Parker passed away this Auckland Anniversary weekend. SOSSI management committee and Auckland Council representatives reflect on his involvement with Shakespear Open Sanctuary. Allan and Elaine Parker purchased a property on Everard Avenue adjoining the newly formed Shakespear Regional Park in the early 1970’s. At that stage the park was little but…
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…
Pampas grass is our featured pest plant this month, because right now its seed heads are evident everywhere in our district. The plants form large grassy clumps with a dead leaf base. Its erect and bushy flower heads are quite attractive and easily recognised, emerging January to March, but unfortunately they are prolific producers of seeds which then blow…
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…
