Sat, Aug 17, 2024 2:00 PM
Progress at Snowden’s Bush
Cushla Mullany and Chris White, part of the Mitre 10 Helping Hands team, helped to improve Snowden's Bush for visitors and the community. Photo: Eloise Martyn.
Eloise Martyn
Work continues at Snowden’s Bush, where a team of approximately 18 people recently gathered to construct a shelter for a new picnic table and continue this year's planting programme.
Two months ago, Department of Conservation trainee rangers collaborated with Mitre 10 Helping Hands, Menzshed Waimea, and Friends of Snowden’s Bush to create a new wide path, install seating, and establish designated planting areas, particularly under trees. The recent work builds upon these efforts.
“Snowden’s Bush is one of the few places left where you can experience the original forest environment of the Waimea Plains stony forest, with some of the totora trees here three or five hundred years old, making them prone to branch breakage,” explains Friends of Snowden’s Bush spokesperson Greg Pickford.
“Planting under these trees encourages visitors to choose safer seating spots and protects the tree roots from mower damage.”
Greg says they are delighted and very grateful for the help and support of these improvements from Mitre 10 Helping Hands, who donated bark and provided labour, Menzshed, who volunteered their time and construction expertise, Department of Conservation (DOC) for the picnic table and plant advice, and the Tasman Environmental Trust for fundraising to purchase plants and trees.
Snowden’s Bush is a popular place for many, and these improvements will contribute to the preservation and enhancement of this natural piece of history for future generations.
