Growing knowledge with native garden

Scout group plans extensive native plantings

Giving back to the community and at thesame time developing youth has been a challenge for Greendale Tamatea Scout GroupCub section leader Callum Fisher. But with support from local businesses and the gift of land from the council, things are looking up.

“Wecameup with the idea of planting anative garden. Napier City Council has been fantastic and given ussome land to use at Anderson Park beside our den.”

Callum says the garden will have a path through it and the group intends to use it toshow Keas, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers about native plants and their history.

“And we’ll tell somecool stories aboutthem and their uses. Agarden also gives them something they can work hard at and be proud of. Giving back to our community is a big part of Scouting and ifwecan create an area the public cancomeand relax in, thenwewill have achieved one of our major goals.”

Abarbecue was held at the den recently toshow the youth and parents the garden design. Callum says they have also had support from local businesses and Hawke’s Bay Bird and Wildlife Rescue.

“They would like to have regular talks with the youth about bird rescue while releasing birds in our native area.”

Greendale Tamatea Scout Group standing on the hill which will be planted in natives.

Callum says the idea of the garden wasfirst mooted in March and they have chosen the area outside the den which goes over the train tunnel for their planting.

Callum says a native plant with an interesting story or history will help whenintroducing the younger membersof the group toNew Zealand’s native plants.

“Weare planting awide variety of plants so they can learn about and identify a large group of natives, with particular interest in local plants like

the kakabeak which are particularly rare, with only about200left in the wild. They are only found in Hawke’s Bay, their seed comes from near the MohakaRiver.”

Callum says they have been very lucky to have the experience and knowledge of Marie Taylor from PlantHBto help with plant choice and supply.

“She has been fantastic.”

All four sections of the Scout group — Keas, aged 5-8, Cubs 8-11, Scouts 11-14 and Venturers 14-18— will be involved

in planting and maintaining the garden.

Callum says they are hoping to get the planting underwaythismonth and will do it in two stages.

“Weare lucky at Greendale Tamatea with our parent support and this project is no different. Wewill have a good numberof adults helping with the planting and heavy work.”

Hesays the children and young people are excited about the garden, each taking at least one native plant suggestion to the barbecue so a list of plants can be created. The cost of the plants was helped by a grant from the Keep Napier Beautiful fund.

“Wehave also donesome fundraising, but unfortunately Covid19 has caused somefinancial issues through unexpected costs sowehave gotsomemore fundraising to go.”