Big planting season ahead for Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor

The 2023 native planting season is shaping up to be the biggest yet for the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor (OARC), with 17 community days scheduled between May and the end of September.

The Council’s red zone rangers will team up with community groups and volunteers to plant tens of thousands of natives at Brooker Reserve, Chimera Crescent, Dudley Creek, Richmond Community Garden, Waikakariki-Horseshoe Lake, Dallington, Cedarwood Reserve and Amelia Rogers Reserve.

Christchurch City Council’s Residential Red Zone Manager, David Little, is expecting the 2023 OARC planting season to surpass last year’s impressive efforts.

“The OARC Regeneration Plan has a significant emphasis on ecologically restoring the area, and the involvement of volunteers and community organisations is central to the success of this happening,” says Mr Little.

“Last year’s planting season saw volunteers and organisations help our red zone rangers and parks teams cover 88 hectares of land with more than 50,000 native plants.

“We’re very grateful to everyone who helped make 2022 a big success from a planting perspective, and we’re hoping to keep that momentum going this year.”

Students involved with the Eco-Action Nursery Trust held the first planting day of the season at Chimera Cres on Sunday morning, while the Avon-Ōtākaro Forest Park will undertake its first event of the year at Brooker Reserve this Sunday morning.

Mr Little says five maintenance days, where the planted areas are weeded and mulched to combat the spring flush, will also be held between September and November.

Full schedule of planting days and contact details.

Sign up for the OARC newsletter.