Students, farmers, and community members came together on the banks of the Foxton River Loop last week to restore the Piriharakeke Walkway, planting 425 native trees.
The Junior Landcare event was coordinated by NZ Landcare Trust (NZLT) in partnership with the Save Our River Trust (Sort) and the Foxton Community Board, one of 10 legacy projects throughout New Zealand designed to connect people of all ages with nature, promote mental and physical wellbeing, and strengthen intergenerational community connections.
Milla, Maddy, Gytha and Karina at the planting. Photo supplied
Students from Manawatū College, Poroutawhao Kura, and Coley Street School worked alongside community volunteers and local organisations, including Horizons Enviroschools, MPI On Farm Support, and the Manawatū River Catchments Collective (MRCC).
The planting followed a community weeding bee two weeks earlier to prepare the site for restoration, with attendees learning about the importance of riparian planting, water quality, and local ecology.
