Enviroschools to enhance Wairoa Awa

Wairoa students and staff will get their gardening gloves on to plant a section of the Wairoa river later in August. Photo / Supplied

Children and teachers from three schools will use their green fingers to plant an area alongside the Wairoa River on August 28.

Students and staff from Nga Tamariki o Nga Hau e Wha Kindergarten, Wairoa Primary and St Joseph's school will plant 200 to 300 native plants in the area upstream of the Ferry Hotel where poplars have recently been removed for safety reasons.

Enviroschools co-ordinator for northern Hawke's Bay Jenni Scothern-King has been occupied organising the event.

"Children from the Enviroschools will help lead the planting and create another attractive place for Wairoa people and visitors to enjoy nature and the river."

The planting space has been provided by Tenfold Investments Ltd which supports the enhancement of the allocated part of the river bank.

A planting plan and suitable plants have been organised by the Hawke's Bay Regional Council and the Wairoa District Council.

HBRC open spaces coordinator Stevie Smidt says it's a plan the council has had in the pipeline for sometime.

"We've been wanting to hold a planting event by the Wairoa Awa and it's good to have the children involved.

"With the number of Wairoa people now raising eco-sourced native plants, there's going to be plenty of planting opportunity in the future.

"Habitat Biodiversity and Pest Management have done a great job preparing the site for next Tuesday's planting, which will make it much easier and enjoyable for the children planting."

The demand for schools to become Enviroschools is increasing around the region, with more parents expecting a higher level of sustainability and environmental care in the schools their children attend.

There are seven Enviroschools in the district supported by Hawke's Bay Regional Council, which also has a waiting list of schools wanting to be funded.

Funding support has been added by the Napier City Council as well as Central Hawke's Bay District Council for schools in their districts.

An information session is planned for September, with prospective schools and their whanau invited to come along and hear about the Enviroschools programme.

Kate Luff, the local facilitator, is aiming to bring two new schools on before the end of this year.