What an amazing achievement to reach 8 million trees pledged so far this year, almost doubling the goal of 4.7 million – one for every Kiwi.
It’s been wonderful to see so many people embracing the concept of Trees That Count, by adding their trees to the count, gifting or donating trees. The team is not finished for the year though, so you can still help to grow the tree count here.
Not only have we been thrilled with the number of Kiwis getting onboard with Trees That Count, but also that businesses are helping out. In the past couple of months Trees That Count has partnered with Z and Kiwibank, and through these partnerships have supported eight planting projects to plant 35,000 extra native trees this year and next. Projects like Kani Rangi Park in Murupara are now able to achieve their conservation goals earlier than planned.
Restoring a 10ha reserve to a native podocarp/hardwood forest is no easy feat. It’s a massive collaborative effort. Te Roopu Manaaki, Whakatāne District Council, DOC, The Ngā Whenua Rāhui Fund, local schools, and many others are working together on this project. The Tindall Foundation and Trees That Count funded the planting of 2500 trees in 2016, and through their partnership with Kiwibank, Trees That Count are now able to bolster their efforts with a further 5,000 native trees to plant.
Maramena Vercoe is the General Manager of Te Rūnanga O Ngāti Manawa. She oversees the Kani Rangi Project and says they’re planting for the generations of Kiwis to come. “In just two years of planting, all our people have enjoyed being able to work together to restore their land.” As a result, a buzzing community of local volunteers –young and old – come out in droves on planting days.