It was all action as Waiau Area School arrived at the Community Nursery. The group split into two groups – the first with Honorlea and Chris Mangion exploring the vegetable and fruit gardens and the second with Chris Rance studying the structures and facilities needed to set up a community nursery and garden. There was a lot of activity and enthusiasm as the nursery and garden were explored and ideas were put up on the whiteboard inside the Education Centre. After lunch in the Nature Centre the whole group followed Chris around the ponds and bush tracks, collecting seeds and learning about native plants and animal pests along the way.
Posted: 17 June 2014
On 5th June 2014, twenty-eight Southland Girls Environment Group students visited the Community Nursery. Accompanied by Lynley King and Chris they explored the pond and tracks looking at native plants and collecting seeds along the way. Back at the education Centre Chris explained the process for cleaning and sowing of seeds. Some students took seeds away to sow themselves. Seeds would also be sown at the Nursery, expected germination was September, and seedlings would be pricked out after germination in spring.
Posted: 17 June 2014
Professional Photographer and friend Jason Hosking came to the Nursery on 6th June 2014 to show us his drone. The remote controlled drone has a camera mounted on it and was sent up above the Nursery for us to get a unique view of the bush and property from all angles. Jason is using the drone for his photographic assignments – this time he was in Southland for a New Zealand Geographic story. His previous work has included most of the photographs in the recently published book “Wild About New Zealand – A guide to our National Parks” by Gus Roxburgh which accompanied the TV series of the same name. Jason’s photographic portfolio can be viewed at www.jasonhosking.com
Posted: 17 June 2014
Beatty, a volunteer from Auckland, is now part of the “family” – she came back for another week of volunteering from 6-13th June 2014 and did a mighty job helping with all manner of jobs that needed to be done around the place.
Not only that, she explained, and then demonstrated, the “art of swede carving” - apparently a tradition in Beatty’s home Country Swizerland. Beatty spent a good 3-4 hours making a Southland version – with tussocks, a rugby ball, Swiss Flag and BT carved into the swede. The inside of the swede is carved out so the candle placed inside illuminates the designs carved on the outside.
Posted: 17 June 2014
Come and celebrate National Volunteer week (15-21 June 2014) at the Community Nursery on Friday 20 June 2014.
In the morning we will hold another Cuttings Workshop 10am-noon followed by lunch (Chris will provide hot soup and fresh bread for lunch) and after lunch we will be making swede lanterns (see article below).
Come along, catch up with friends at the Nursery and have some fun!
During the previous week a gift was received from Limehills School to the Community Nursery – a box of exquisite cakes – it was a gesture that Chris and the other Trustees really appreciated – thanks Limehills School. Unfortunately the cakes wouldn’t last until the next volunteer Friday and had to be eaten by Community Nursery Trustees Chris, Linda, Ray and Brian!! (yeah right!).
Posted: 17 June 2014
