Halter is a New Zealand company providing innovative solutions to farmers, helping them improve productivity of pastures, protect waterways and improve the welfare of stock.  The company provides solar powered collars for cows that enable farmers to virtually fence their pastures, monitor the movements and health of stock and move stock using an app.  Satellite imagery also enables farmers to optimize grazing areas to ensure pasture health.

Today we were very happy to welcome a group from Halter’s production department for a volunteer day at CUE Haven. The volunteer day was organized by our good friend and CUE Haven supporter, Drew, who brought along his colleagues Alyx, Dugan, Fergusson, Josh, Kate and Nic.

We got acquainted over morning tea and because almost everyone was new to CUE Haven, Mahrukh gave an introduction to the CUE Haven restoration project and our plans for the future.

Thomas then gave a safety briefing and description of the work planned for the day.

This winter we are planning to continue our work to fill in gaps in the CUE Haven bush with enrichment planting.  There is an area near the top of the property with some large gaps in the bush. That area has not been planted because access to the area is challenging.

This summer, we found a good route down to the area and marked out a path and the plan for today was to create the track by clearing vegetation and levelling the ground.

We drove up as close as we could and had a look at the work area.  The first task was to bring down the gear, which today consisted of spades, grubbers, rakes and loppers.

We carefully walked down to the planting area so the team could get a feel for the track project and brainstorm solutions to the different challenges along the way.

The team then went to work, with smaller groups tackling different sections.  Most of the work involved clearing vegetation and then using spades to level the ground.

High spots were levelled off and the soil moved to fill in low spots.

As one area was levelled off, the team continued further down, clearing the path to create the track.

The area the track traverses is quite steep in sections and one section was very wet because of water flowing down slope across the track.

The team took some time to study the situation and come up with a solution.

They decided that the best approach would be to dig a drainage ditch alongside the wet area so the water wouldn’t reach the track and then to divert the water under the track using a drain pipe.  The job required a lot of digging.

They dug a channel across the track and then installed the drain pipe.

The team continued further down into the bush clearing the path for the track.

And by lunchtime, the team made it all the way to the planting area!!

They gathered up all the gear and headed back to the nursery to clean up.

The new track is looking great and will enable us to do the planned planting this winter.  In spite of the challenging terrain and the rain showers throughout the morning, the team worked hard and cleared over 80 metres and established a track for safe access to the planting area—an amazing accomplishment!

Our many thanks to Drew for organising the team’s visit today – Drew we really appreciate your friendship and your continuing support.

And a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone for all your hard work and efforts.  It was great chatting with you all and spending time with you and we also very much enjoyed working with you.  Thanks for your much valued contribution to CUE Haven.

We look forward to having you all out to CUE Haven soon to explore more of your community reserve with your family and friends. And back again with more of your colleagues for another productive and fun volunteer day!

THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!