Tū ī, tīeke provide perfect chorus
More than 400 gather for Forest & Bird celebration
Hundreds of visitors streamed into Bushy Park Tarapuruhi Sanctuary to celebrate 100 years of Forest & Bird, with guided tours and decorated cakes on offer.
Bushy Park educator Keith Beautrais said Saturday’s event marked how proud Forest & Bird was of the achievements of previous generations.
“We are determined to take on even bigger challenges in the next 100 years.”
Beautrais said all ages attended the birthday event, and guided tours were given by 15 students from St John’s Hill, Westmere and Brunswick Schools.
“All generations came to the party, from the young guides from the environment schools to their grandparents.”
Bushy Park Tarapuruhi patron Hamish McDouall said the speakers and activities on offer, such as leaf rubbings and scavenger hunts, would inspire the next generation.
“It sparks that interest and passion for the birds and their habitat, and if you get it young, you’ve got them for life.”
McDouall said Bushy Park Sanctuary was a great example of what
could be achieved in partnership, with Forest & Bird, local iwi, the local council and volunteers working together.
“It was really cool to be there as tūī and tīeke and all these other birds were giving a chorus around the gathering.”
Three cakes were gifted by Dale Pullen and baked by Bushy Park Homestead baker Lisa Miller, with an image of the famous black robin Old Blue adorning one cake.
The Department of Conservation and Horizons Regional Council stalls provided information on weeds and predator traps; there was a coffee cart and ice cream van for refreshments.
Forest & Bird was started by volunteers and does practical conservation work in more than 120 reserves across the country, with projects such as the Kiwi Conservation Club and Forest & Bird Youth.