Clean, green start at centre?

Amid remarkable regrowth at a 12-year-long conservation effort, Sophie Bond peers at a problem.
Beside Glenfield Rd, hidden behind a wall of scraggly native bush, is a rolling green field that has Hamish Hopkinson's eyes shining. "This is the dream. Restore and enjoy, just 15 minutes from the CBD."
The Kaipatiki Project manager has his sales pitch sorted: "Views to the Waitakere Ranges, it's right on the public transport route and there's space to grow."
The talk is upbeat despite the sad situation Mr Hopkinson and fellow conservationists are in.
Here, on this slope at the top of Eskdale Reserve, Mr Hopkinson and project staff propose to build a "world-class environment centre".
The project presently works from a former childcare centre on Lauderdale Rd, Birkdale, provided by North Shore City Council.
Mr Hopkinson says the group is grateful for the space but the building is cold, damp and the surrounding land is swampy. "We've hit capacity here and we're poorly placed."
The project started in 1998 and is one of 13 national environment centres recognised and supported by the Ministry for the Environment. It began by restoring the native bush in the Eskdale and Witheford scenic reserves.
Over the years, it has grown to include educational courses and a popular volunteering scheme. Last week, the council honoured the organisation at its final North Shore Civic Awards ceremony.
Last year, 600 volunteers helped the Kaipatiki Project, cultivating and potting seedlings in the on-site nursery, clearing weeds in the reserve and planting 12,500 native plants.
Mr Hopkinson says the project attracts corporate groups and individual volunteers. "We get quite a few transitioning people; those facing unemployment, retirement and illness who can come and have a sense of purpose here. We're really about people in the community and the trees are our excuse for that."
The proposed centre would have a large nursery, big enough to hold 50,000 plants, offices and space for meetings and educational sessions. "We'll want to talk with other restoration groups and hope that there could be many of us working collaboratively."
Mr Hopkinson hopes the easily reached, picturesque location will encourage Aucklanders to use Eskdale Reserve and to become involved in environmental efforts. "I think the Kaipatiki ward will be defined by the bush and it would be great to enhance that."
He is realistic about the hurdles and says this long-held dream will likely take many years to realise. "But at least we're getting things started."
Last week, Mr Hopkinson presented the proposal to the outgoing Glenfield Community Board. Chairperson John Gillon says the board is fully in favour of the centre but it will be a decision for the new Kaipatiki local board.
"It's a great idea and it's clear the Kaipatiki Project's current location is not ideal. This new building could become a focal point for the area."
Reel green
From October 10-31 the Kaipatiki Project will host a Green Film Festival at Auckland's Academy Cinema featuring four documentaries from New Zealand, Kenya and the USA. For more details, see: www.kaipatiki.org.nz