Green ‘S’ Force Planting Day—26 July 2014

Our 2014 planting season finished off today with a great effort by our friends from the Green ‘S’ Force.  This year they planted even more trees than their amazing accomplishment last year.

Today’s team included Aman, Bharpoor, Harinder, Jagdeep, Jagveer, Karamjeet, Karan, Lakhvinder, Meenu, Navneet, Nisha, Parminder, Prabhjot, Raj, Ranjit, Samandeep, Simar, Simerjeet, Suhas, Veerpal and Vinod.  Because of work and other commitments, some people came later and some had to leave earlier.

As the group arrived, we had morning tea.

The first task was to get the plants up to the planting site and as Tom is still out of commission–

Bharpoor took charge of driving the ute and making sure the team was well supplied with plants over the course of the day.

At the planting site the team unloaded the trays and laid out the plants before going to work.

Today’s planting objective was to finish off the rather challenging area we’ve been working in this winter.  The terrain varied from flat and clear to steep and weed covered but the team handled the challenges with no problems.

As always, the hard working team took their tea breaks in the field.

And shortly before lunch, Bharpoor reported the good news that he was delivering the last of the trees to be planted!

And the team finished off the last of the planting.

The group then broke for lunch.

After lunch the team went back to the field to pick up the empty pots and trays and to mark the plants with a stake so that we can find them this summer during our weed control efforts.

For the second year in a row, thanks to the efforts of the Green ‘S’ Force we have achieved our planting goal for the year.  This year’s planting area was one of the most challenging on the property as the team had to cope with steep, slippery conditions and tall weeds in pasture that has been rank for several years.  But there was nowhere the team was afraid to go and thanks to all their hard work they have transformed the property.  Here are some views of their work.

We wish to convey our heartfelt thanks to all the members of the Green ‘S’ Force for their help again this year. We really value our relationship and friendship with you all and are truly grateful for all your hard work and dedication. The trees you have planted will provide many benefits – less soil erosion, improved water quality, increase in biodiversity and a wonderful nature reserve for the community to enjoy for many, many years. THANK YOU!

The weather had been great all day but there was a brief shower as the team was finishing up and we think it’s a good omen that a beautiful rainbow appeared over the area that Green ‘S’ Force members will help us transform into native bush next year!

Thanks again!!