First Silverstream Planting Projects

First Silverstream
Planting Projects

The first restoration planting projects were in the west end of the reserve, upstream of Heywards Road.
These were funded by the DOC Community Conservation Fund, Robert C Bruce Trust, Rata Foundation, ECan Immediate Steps and Honda Tree Fund.

Over 4,000 volunteer hours have been spent in the west end since 2009, clearing dense exotic weed, planting approximately 22,000 trees, and creating walking tracks. Almost forty different species of native trees, shrubs and grasses have been planted, and the two hectares of mature trees at the far west end are generating a rich source of seeds for birds to disperse.

The west end of the reserve has extensive riparian strips with moist, nutrient-rich soils, and consequently the two major planting projects there were highly successful, with rapid plant growth and low morbidity. Some naturally regenerating natives were discovered in the exotic scrub and were worked around while clearing.

A bridge was built in 2012 to allow walkers from Heywards Road to access the planted areas without getting wet feet.

Matariki Tu Rakau 2019 Planting Day

50 Environment Canterbury staff plant 500 trees in less than an hour in 2015.