Kowhai Reach – the next chapter
On 26 November 24, Brian and I attended the Kowhai Reach opening event. We and the Nursery have been involved in this project one way or another for a very long time. Since farmer landowners on the Winton Stream objected to it being straightened for flood control and a number of landowners protected the meandering, kowhai lined stream with a QEII Covenant under the guidance of Roger Sutton. Carried on with gusto by the next QEII Rep Gay Munro, she involved Limehills School and we at the Community Nursery had many sessions with Limehills students to grow Kowhai with them for this project. It is hard to keep up that momentum but now after a few years of less activity, Jesse Bythell (the current QEII Rep), the SDC, landowners and Limehills students have come together with a grand plan for the future and the opening of a new parking area and outside clsssroom and beautiful new sign and hopes for a new track and more planting is the start of a new era for the project. Speakers included landowner Francis Shand, SDC Mayor Rob Scott, Councillor Margie Ruddenklau, Gay Munro and Jesse Bythell QEII, Teachers Kathy Turnbull and Kirsty Smith and a special kowhai song was sung by the students.
At the Community Nursery we have continued growing eco-sourced kowhai from the site over all those years and last year and this year are supplying plants for the rejuvenated and larger protected area. It was great to see old friends, new students and landowners and renewed enthusiasm for this very special Southland place.
Chris
Posted: 4 December 2024