Enthusiastic turnout for native planting

GOOD EFFORT: About 35 people, including families with children, showed up to Wrights Vineyard and Winery at the beginning of the month to plant 400 native plants in the salt marsh area. Picture supplied

It was a great day for planting at Wrights Vineyard and Winery earlier this month and children and families were keen to get involved, Wrights owner Geoff Wright said.

About 35 people showed up to plant and mulch 400 native plants along the salt marsh estuary on the property.

“I always get excited when I see kids planting. It is moments like these that may shape our next generation into caring more for the environment,” Mr Wright said.

“Last year’s plants have come up really well and, where possible, we have mulched and weeded them.”

The plants that found themselves a new home at Wrights Vineyard and Winery were grown by the Women’s Native Tree Project Trust.

Mr Wright said a highlight for the children was when volunteer Brian Payne showed up with two machines — a machine-operated wheelbarrow and a machine-operated tipper.

“The kids got a chance to drive them and carry mulch around to the different areas on the day. I managed to jump on for a minute and stalled it straight away, so the kids who had a turn driving did a great job,” Mr Wright said.

Mr Wright said the area that was planted is special to him and his family.

“Our boys lost a close friend last year and we planted a pohutakawa tree in their memory. We like to visit when we are here. In the years to come the tree will be the tallest and the main feature of the area,” he said.

“We had a couple of businesses that helped with some of the raw material this year — Eastland Port and Trees Tairawhiti helped supply the mulch, and The Gisborne Herald supplied some newspaper for underneath the mulch.”

Wrights Vineyard and Winery will continue to expand on the planted area. Visitors are also welcome to come and visit.