Planting to boost reserve

New trees will be planted in the Ronga Scenic Reserve to try to restore the 17 hectare area in Rai Valley.

The 1000 trees that are being planted this year are donated by Forest & Bird member Ginny Wood.

Wood cycled 3000km from Cape Reinga to Bluff during this year’s Tour Aotearoa in February to raise the money needed to buy the trees.

Forest & Bird’s Debs Martin said endangered long-tailed bats had been spotted in the reserve, and planting the trees would increase roosting opportunities for them.

‘‘We don’t know yet how many are there, and where they might roost, but its a good motivator for keen volunteers attending the upcoming annual planting day.’’

Ronga Scenic Reserve, along with its more famous neighbour the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve, are not only home to long-tailed bats, but are also ‘acutely threatened’ forests.

Alluvial beech and podocarp forest grows on valley floors and old river terraces and less than one per cent of this type of forest remains in the Pelorus District.

The ancient podocarps are crucial to the survival of long-tailed bats that need old hollow trees to roost and breed in.

The Ronga area has had a history of milling, fire, and more recently stock grazing, there are a large number of old and majestic podocarp trees such as kahikatea, rimu, totara and matai which are still standing.

The annual planting day is organised by Forest & Bird and the Department of Conservation and a community planting event is being held on September 3.

Meet outside of the Brick Oven at 9:45amand bring a spade, garden gloves, warm clothes, a thermos, snacks and a salad.

For more information visit doc.govt.nz and search Ronga.

Car pooling from Nelson can be arranged with Julie, (03) 545-0989.