A Small CV Team Accomplishes Big Things—August 29-September 2

This week we exceeded our tree planting goal for this year thanks to a great group of Conservation Volunteers.  They were a small group of only five people but they made up for that in energy and enthusiasm.  The team included Chie, Norimi and Mikiko from Japan, Marie from Germany and Yoki from China.  Yoki is our first volunteer from China.  The team was led by Pete Hannon of Conservation Volunteers NZ.

The group arrived on Monday morning.  They spent a few minutes unpacking and getting organised in the cottage and then we provided an overview briefing on the CUE Haven project.  After an early lunch, Pete gave a safety introduction followed by a planting demo and the team went to work planting.

Because we are at the end of the planting season, the team’s assignment was to go through areas previously planted and fill in any gaps.   As a result, they ended up working in seven different areas and saw many different aspects of CUE Haven–from hilly windy areas to wetlands.

They also went over areas planted earlier in the season and put stakes next to newly planted trees so that we will be able to locate them later this summer when the weeds start to grow up.

Despite the hard work, the team was always smiling.

On the last day, the team put down their spades and picked up forks and rakes to spread some mulch in some of the landscaped areas around the nursery and the house.  It was something different and a new experience for many of the team members.  The mulch was generously supplied by Treescape.

Yoki was also nursing a bad toothache all week but it didn’t slow her down, although it did mean that she was restricted to eating soups and soft foods.

Fortunately the homemade Pavlova on Wednesday was a melt in the mouth treat so everyone was able to enjoy it.

Before the group left on Friday, we celebrated Pete’s birthday with a cake and Happy Birthday greetings in English, German, Chinese and Japanese.

It was a real pleasure working with such an enthusiastic and energetic group.  They made a great contribution to our season’s planting effort by planting about 1900 trees and also assisting with the other tasks.

We thank you all and look forward to having you come back to visit us and see how your trees are growing up!  Thanks!!