Greening the land for climate resilience
Do you enjoy getting your hands in the soil, meeting new people and giving back to nature? Are you keen to take positive action for the climate?
If so, we may have just found your latest hobby: native forest restoration. More than 600 community groups across New Zealand restore native vegetation.
Restoring native habitat provides endless benefits, including connectivity, improved water and air quality and climate regulation. And, best of all, there are no limitations on who can take part.
While most of us are aware of climate change’s threat to us and future generations, it frequently causes heated debate.
Alongside those who deny the climate is warming, individuals have been marching the streets in an attempt to signal the urgency of our situation to governments around the world.
The global temperature has already risen by 1 degree and is expected to surpass 2 degrees by 2100 unless greenhouse gas emissions are dramatically cut. But what if we take a positive spin on our situation by focusing on what we can do as individuals in our community?
Driving less, cycling and walking more, eating less meat and recycling can significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Planting natives in our backyards and communities has the potential to absorb important carbon dioxide and reduce our carbon footprint. You can also download a climate risk assessment report for your property from the CLIMsystems website to check your property’s climate resilience.
As Dr Peter Urich at CLIMsystems, which provides robust climate data, notes, ‘‘getting involved in community projects is a fantastic gateway to growing our understanding of the environment. Climate is intricately connected with vegetation, and ecological restoration provides a tangible action for individuals to combat climate change.’’
Restoration is, therefore, much more than science; it connects people with nature and their community.
One inspiring group of restoration volunteers is the Friends of Mangaonua Esplanade. This group meets every Thursday and once a
month on Saturday to ‘‘release’’ weeds and give native plants a fighting chance.
The group is a varied bunch of individuals, from teachers and local gully owners to students. At morning tea, the group celebrates the gully’s improvement in health as a result of their efforts.
If you’re looking for a unique way to reconnect with your community and give back to the environment, contact nearby community groups such as Mangaonua.
Ask on Neighbourly to find the restoration groups closest to you.