Students give lake a magic hand

Keen green fingers of the small type have been working their magic at Lake Okoroire.

Kuranui School students took a trip down to the lake on July 1 and planted 150 plants including manuka, flaxes and grasses on the lake side.

The school project tied in with The Ripple Effect Project. Created by Enactus Waikato, it is focused on planting 20,000 native trees around the lake to improve biodiversity and encourage the return of native birds and frogs.

The planting will also help reduce nutrient and soil runoff and to improve water quality.

Farmer Ian Scott has put in many hours of fencing and spraying to help prepare the lake.

The school’s trip was finished off with some hot chips and hot chocolates.

Principal Paula Hastings said all 17 students enjoyed putting the Kuranui value of helping our environment into practice outside of school.

‘‘I asked the children and they told me that Lake Okoroire is one of the oldest lakes in our area and that it is hundreds of years old. Farm runoff has caused damage so they want to replant to help the lake.’’

Kuranui School is also working on planting around the Waiomou Stream behind the school.

The students will be having another planting session by the stream next term.

Needs help: Lake Okoroire is getting a huge hand up from caring residents.

Working hard: Students scout around for the best place to dig their next hole.

Keen diggers: Devonte O’Brien, left and Josiah Walker get their hands dirty for a good cause.