The Port Hills

Port Hills Restoration Update
Autumn 2008

Dear Volunteers

Happy New Year to you all. We have certainly had a hot summer this year with a couple of 34º days.  Summer seems to be coming to a broken end with cooler autumnal mornings interspersed with hot days and ongoing drying winds (and fires!).

With the heat of summer plenty of soil moisture has been lost and some of the younger saplings within the forests are starting to wilt. Despite some of the forest species wilting, last season’s restoration plantings are holding up quite well. The apple tray weed matting and thick layer of mulch is proving its worth once again.

By the time the release days arrive more moisture will hopefully have come with it, which in turn will bring more vigorous grass competition for our young planted native trees.  To maintain the trees we will be pulling the grass around the trees and mulching a thick layer around base of the plant to reduce competition and to maintain moisture.

See the calendar for dates and locations of plant maintenance days on the Port Hills.

If anybody would like to be involved with other restoration events around the city throughout the year, visit the CCC Park - "How You Can Help" page.

With thanks again for your volunteer contribution. We hope you find it rewarding too.

Please do let me know if you wish to have your name removed from the volunteer list, or if you need to call to confirm meeting places etc.

We look forward to seeing you in March.

Kind regards

Di Carter and the Port Hills Ranger Team