Wednesday 26 October 2022
Thousands of native grasses planted in our dune systems over this past year have increased our resilience to climate change.
Gisborne District Council partners with community groups to hold planting bees that aim to restore our sand dunes and increase coastal protection.
Earlier this month Makorori Beach residents planted 700 native spinifex grass in a community planting bee. Spinifex is the most important native sand-binding grass in New Zealand.
Council Liveable Communities Director Michele Frey says these days are educational, and a chance for the community to gain awareness around just how important our dune systems are.
“The dunes along our Tairāwhiti coast are a natural buffer between the land and the sea. The dune systems offer us protection from rising sea levels and severe weather events. Looking after them is very important.”
Ms Frey says it’s amazing to see how many communities in our region take action to look after dune systems.
“Some groups have been running for years and some others are just getting established now.
“These grasses that we plant help catch and stabilise wind-blown sand. Every native we plant makes our dune systems that bit stronger.
“At Council, we support these planting bees in any way we can. Please get in touch if you’d like to organize one or take part in one.”
The next planting bees will be in July and August next year. Email Oriana.Rojas@gdc.govt.nz for more information.
Anyone who would like to learn more about dune systems can watch this YouTube link. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4csoY9nX77cJWpzRAwvML97apwExAoAg
