Farmers to get a million trees on damaged land
About 40 farms in erosion-prone land in Manawatu¯ and Whanganui will get more than a million trees through the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF).
The move has been announced by Forestry and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones.
‘‘The PGF will provide $970,600, which will be used to plant a range of tree species on 1000 hectares of erosion-prone farm land in the region,’’ he said.
Farmers would also pay towards planting at more than half a million dollars. ‘‘We have the landowners, the land and the seedlings and the Horizons Regional Council has the right relationships with landowners in their region, so a partnership of this kind makes perfect sense,’’ Jones said.
‘‘The regional council will work through its sustainable land use initiative to get trees into the ground in the next few months.’’
Jones said the total cost of planting the 1000ha is just over $1.9 million. Additional funding of just under $392,000 would be provided by the Horizons Regional Council and landowners would contribute just under $563,000.
‘‘The funding will also provide for up to 20 customised forest land appraisals for landowners considering planting trees on more than 50ha of their land – which would result in a significant change in land use on the farm.
‘‘The establishment of more trees in the region will further lift productivity, incomes and help diversify land use. From this additional planting alone we expect at least 10 permanent jobs to be created over the trees’ life cycle.
‘‘Some of these jobs will be situated in some of the most remote and isolated communities in the region where unemployment is high.
‘‘Environmentally, the tree planting will reduce erosion and sedimentation in the area and enhance climate change mitigation and improved water quality.
‘‘This is about more than an investment in trees – it’s an investment in people, our regional communities and our environment,’’ Jones said. He said forestry was very important for the Manawatu¯ Whanganui’s economic and environmental viability.
Since 2006, Horizons has planted more than 15 million trees and the region has the largest area of farmed hill country in New Zealand and has the biggest hill country erosion programme.
The 1000ha will be in addition to the tree planting the regional council already does.
‘‘We’ve been in this game a long time, and we know what it takes for it to be successful – which is good relations with landowners,’’ Horizons chief executive Michael Mccartney said.
Mccartney said the council has long-established co-operation with landowners on similar projects; which have mapped over 500,000 hectares across the region to identify erosion prone land where the reforestation efforts will be focused.
The plantings will include 800,000 ma¯ nuka plants – pine seedlings will make up most of the rest, with a small range of other species to round it out.
Almost 40 landowners were already lined up for the project, primarily through the council’s Sustainable Land Use Initiative.
Thanks to their support the council was able to act quickly on the Government’s support, and was confident all the trees could be planted by winter’s end, he said.