If you're keen to do some digging for conservation, the Clifton County Cricket Club has just the opportunity.
The club will be hosting a community planting day on Sunday, July 24 in partnership with the Hawke's Bay's Cape to City project. Spot prizes, a barbecue, and light refreshments will be provided for volunteers.
The planting of native shrubs and trees begins at 10am. at the cricket club's pavilion, near Te Awanga.
There will be 1300 plants at this event representing about 20 different restoration species, including flax, kowhai, and cabbage trees.
The wetland and riparian master plan for the cricket club was designed by William Murphy, director of the Clifton-based Pollen Workshop Landscape Architecture and Design.
"It's not all about cricket," Mr Murphy said. "We as a club provide a community hub for families to get together in a fantastic environmental setting. The development of the wetlands and native plantings allows people the chance to be involved in creating a spectacular environment and the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful landscape with the community."
Cape to City began in 2015 as a collaboration between Hawke's Bay Regional Council, Department of Conservation, Landcare Research and The Cape Sanctuary under the Hawke's Bay Regional Biodiversity Strategy.
The mission is to see "native species thrive where we live, work and play" on 26,000ha of land between Hastings, Waimarama, and Cape Kidnappers.
"Cape to City is about how people make a difference for our environment," said Campbell Leckie, Cape to City project chairman and land services manager for the Hawke's Bay Regional Council.
"A planting day really showcases this, with volunteers able to come back to the planting and share with their family or whanau in years to come."
The club said it was grateful for the funding assistance it had received from the Department of Conservation Community Fund for the planting.
- Directions to the Clifton County Cricket Club at cliftoncricket.co.nz. Anyone interested in attending should RSVP no later than Thursday 21 July. For more information email Lauren at lbuchholz@doc.govt.nz or call Wendy at 027 429 6447.