A busy start to 2016!
Georgetown Scouts – 1 March 2016
On Tuesday 1st March, 27 energetic Georgetown Scouts descended on the property to help with planting and seed collecting. We split them into 2 groups and Brian took one group planting native plants at the back of the property while Chris led a seed collecting expedition. This group had done some planting last year in the same area so it was good to see how those plants were progressing as well as collecting seeds for the next generation of trees.
Pippins - 29 February 2016
A group of 15 “Pippins” visited the property with Bronwyn. They had a programme of activities which included a walk through the “huge forest”, checking out the insect pitfall traps but mainly using their senses to see and hear the special things in the forest. They also collected natural items which they would later turn into artwork. Chris then met them coming out of the bush where they did some seed collecting of “mingimingi” – Coprosma propinqua, seeing blue and white and some yellow fruit. At the bird hide by the new moa, they heard the story of the extinct moa and later they all sat down and were silent for 5 minutes (and that’s a long time!) listening to the sounds of the wild. On 4th April they will return for another set of activities and present their artwork.
Organic Group Visit - 27 February 2016
New students from the Organics Course run by the Guyton’s were visiting various properties around Invercargill on Saturday 27 February. Their mandate was mainly to see the different styles and scales of productive gardens. Although our 14 acre property is not organic we pride ourselves on not using insecticides at all and only using herbicides for a limited time around the restoration areas, which are largescale. We have many diverse productive landscapes – fruit orchards, nut trees, berry cages, chickens, worm farm, sheep and very productive vegetable gardens with herbs and companion plantings, all within the backdrop of fantastic natural area of ponds, restoration plantings and old growth forest.
Rimu School - 26 February 2016
Rimu School (yes the whole school!) visited the Nursery and Education Centre to “help out” on Friday 26 February. The 110 students, teachers and parent helpers were split into four groups each doing a different activity before changing to the next. The activities were seed collecting, potting seedlings, track work including picking up cabbage tree leaves (to weave into the moa sculpture) and leaf bingo, and a bush walk exercise. The groups changed over every 20 minutes which for us was a blur of activity in the pouring rain (and thunder and lightning!). All seemed to enjoy the experience but next time a smaller group is preferred! Special thanks to our volunteers Bronwyn, Honorlea, Lesley and Edith and Mark Oster from ES who helped me with the activities.
Friendship Force Exchange Visit - 23 February 2016
A group of 20, mainly Australian, Friendship fellowship visitors were brought to Rances by Lois Caldwell. They walked through the orchard and food forest areas and were particularly interested in what vegetables we could grow in this “cold climate”. Chris then led a walk around the ponds and restoration area and showed them the Education Centre with lots of favourable comments received.
Takoma College Visit - 15 February 2016
James Hargest exchange students from Takoma College, Washington State visited Bushy Point and the Nursery. Sally Duston and Kirstin lead the group through the planting areas and Chris explained about the nursery and education centre. On the way they pulled some nets out of the Bushy Point and Rances ponds and some interested members looked at damselfly larvae and an as yet unknown species – see pic below - any ideas what it is?
Posted: 7 March 2016