Tōtara - everywhere tōtara - 31 March 2021
Out I went with the Tōtara class of Otatara School to visit the Tōtara trees at the Ōreti Tōtara Dune Forest where the Native Forest Restoration Trust is restoring an historic treasure. How special to have this significant Tōtara forest in Otatara. Maurice Rodway the honarary ranger led us on a journey through this remarkable area. The tamariki interpreted what can and can’t be done in this area, counted tree rings of felled pines, looked at the leaves and bark of lots of Tōtara (and we even found a fruit!), found heaps of fungi types, removed some Chilean Flame Creeper weed (giving back to this wonderful Tōtara forest), spotted and listened to birds, noted new Tōtara growth, went on a treasure hunt, drew in nature journals and looked at even more Tōtara. Some Tōtara were straight and tall, and others were twisted and knarly. A wonderful day learning about the tree their class is named after. I look forward to more Tōtara learning with this group.
Bronwyn
Posted: 1 April 2021