stephen March 28th, 2011
STEPS met with Auckland Council Officers, contractors, Waicare and Morphum people for our third annual planting and maintenance meeting on 17 February 2011. Minutes are attached – thanks to Taryn Pearce for co-ordinating. We also thank in particular Melissa Marler for volunteering to lead and co-ordinate a weeding group (thanks to Sel Arbuckle for assisting.). Melissa will also use her experience to help educate the contractors as the Downer team are not yet so familiar with the area as were former contractors Alldrains. We are pleased with the commitment and support Council officers are showing and thank in particular David Bowden for involving Conservation New Zealand Volunteers and assisting with tracking tunnels.
This year we are planning limited expansion of existing planting areas – mainly infill planting where plants have been lost. Instead the focus is on managing the new plantings, and especially removing weeds. If not dealt with, Kikuyu, moth plant and woolly nightshade are major threats to this beautiful volcanic streamside landscape we are restoring. These problems occur not only in the plantings but seeds are borne by wind and water from neighbouring properties.
We are willing to train volunteers to help remove weeds, and educate people about this problem so please contact us via this website if you are able to help us.
STEPS Planning Meeting Minutes_2011-02-17
Woolly nightshade. Solanum mauritianum Photo: Carolyn Lew
Moth plant / cruel vine (Araujia sericifera)
stephen September 22nd, 2010
A very large group of volunteers turned up to help with planting the north eastern corner of the walk way near the Watercare Services Eden branch overflow (area 5a on the planting plan).
Selene, Taryn and Caleb from Morphum were there early to unload and lay out the plants. Then we had a large group from Bhaska who helped STEPS and others to get 800 plants in the ground in record time. The plant list is attached, though a few substitutions were made: the tree fuchsia was replaced with the groundcover Fuchsia procumbens, Coprosma rhamnoides with Coprosma propinqua and Corokia buddleoides with Corokia cotoneaster.
Thanks to Morphum for their generosity in providing plants, time and the expertise to plan and make it happen. Our grateful thanks to all the people from Bhaska, and other volunteers including some from Rasheed Trust, John and Jane from Teradata, and Sel, Nick and Stan. We were also thrilled to have Onno Ursem from Metrowater contributing his time. Onno was the first person from our local authorities to arrange the creekside plantings by the bridge in the Kerr-Taylor Reserve. Thanks Onno – we wish you and your family well on your travels and look forward to your return and ongoing involvement with Meola.
Some photos are attached – others are available also if you contact us via this site we can email them to you.
Post script: September 2010. Thanks also to neighbours Peter and John who are helpfully tracking down plants which have been removed from time to time and replanting them. It makes such a difference to have active and ongoing contributions to improving the creekside.
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It’s a family affair – Nick and Stan
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These boots are made for digging – Liz, John and Jane from Teradata
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40 volunteers including people from Bhaska planted 800 plants
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More fun than the sandpit
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Onno sets the pace
Planting Schedule Morphum 2010
stephen July 11th, 2010
Join members of the St Lukes Environmental Protection Society (STEPS) and Morphum Environmental Ltd who are supplying the plants for the last community planting day this winter at Meola Creek.
Bring along your family and friends for a couple of hours of planting.
Where: The entrance to Roy Clements Treeway behind Noel Leemings, Wagner Place Megacentre, St Lukes.
What to Bring: Sunhat, Sunblock, Raincoat, Water Bottle, Gardening Gloves and a Spade if you have them.
For further information contact: Selene@morphum.com Selene (09) 377 9779.
Download the Roy Clements planting flyer and invite your friends.
stephen June 27th, 2010
Despite the challenging conditions (ranging from impenetrable scoria to ankle-deep mud), we managed to get over 800 plants into the ground. We decided on a more diverse species mix to enhance last year’s plantings. Species included wet-loving plants such as Carex lessoniana, giant umbrella sedge, swamp maire, and toetoe to terrestrial shrubland and forest species such as whau, wineberry, kowhai, lemonwood, and taraire. In addition, two species of threatened fern (Todea barbara and Cyclosorus interruptus), one species of threatened sedge (Baumea complanata), and swamp maire and Coprosma propinqua (both uncommon in the Auckland Region) now have new homes in the wetland.
Around 30 volunteers, including people from the Rasheed Memorial Trust, turned up to help on the day - so special thanks to them and the other volunteers. Thanks also to David Bowden from Auckland City Council for funding and helping to organise this event.
We have found a BIG SPADE – if anyone lost a spade, please email STEPS via this website.
stephen June 13th, 2010
Please find a flyer attached for our next planting day on Sunday June 20, from 10 am. The planting will involve additional planting in the wetland created last year adjacent to the boardwalk along the Roy Clements Treeway. The approximate location is http://www.google.co.nz/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=-36.885499,174.729341&daddr=&geocode=&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=17&sll=-36.885084,174.729435&sspn=0.006814,0.008862&ie=UTF8&ll=-36.885653,174.729373&spn=0.003407,0.004431&t=h&z=18
Any time you can spare is always welcome.
Planting Day June 20th Flyer
stephen June 6th, 2010
On 30 May 2010 we had huge muster of 40-50 people for the planting of the south west stream bank by MAGS. Approximately 1200 plants were completed by 11.15, when we all enjoyed a sausage sizzle. It was a beautiful day, with perfect planting conditions after all the rain we have had.
We were thrilled to have continuing care from Roy Clements, Wai Care, Metrowater, Morphum and other supporters – our thanks to all. Our next planting is on 20 June – see notice below.
Also we will be continue with planting of the area with MAGS students on June 18th and the maintenance contractor All Drains, will be planting the inaccessible areas and under the pine trees etc soon.
stephen May 4th, 2010
This year’s planting days:
SUNDAY 30 MAY 10AM – Meet Fergusson Ave. Metrowater planting the west side of the stream – with STEPS.. Will walk through school grounds near the boarding hostel.
Click here to see where to meet on Google Maps. (opens in a separate window)
Roy Clements Treeway Planting Flyer
SUNDAY 20 JUNE 10 AM- Meet Fergusson Ave – STEPS planting the wetland.
SUNDAY 18TH JULY 10 AM – Meet at Megacentre entrance to Treeway – Morphum planting north east corner of Roy Clements treeway.
Please bring gloves and sturdy footwear etc., and a spade if possible. Light refreshments will be provided.
stephen July 27th, 2009
Saturday 25 July was a fine sunny day – and we had a lot of helpers planting along the boardwalk from Megacentre south to the new wetland.
Thanks to everyone, including our volunteers, Melissa and Metrowater for the plants.
Next planting day is
15 August, 10am – on the creekside at the end of Fergusson Ave.
ALL WELCOME.
Melissa Marler, our co-ordinator - is laying out plants and welcoming Gogul Muthu
Nick Goldwater, Freddie Sherwin, Jane Chatterly, Gogul Muthu, John Smith and Trevor Sherwin after putting the last few plants in the ground
Freddie June 22nd, 2009
A planting day beside the boardwalk adjacent to Meola Creek has been arranged for Saturday June 27, 10am
Meet at the 32 Alberton Ave end of the boardwalk in Mt Albert at 10am, or simply walk along the boardwalk and it won’t be too hard to find us.
Please bring gloves and sturdy footwear etc., and a spade if possible.
Rain date: Sunday June 28, 10am. If concerned about the weather, please call 849-3904 after 9.30am on Saturday.
Any time you can spare will be welcomed. Hope to see you there.
