Alsco is a Foundation Partner of Million Metres Streams, a project of the Sustainable Business Network. Since 2017, Alsco has sponsored Million Metres and supported community planting projects, with lots of our enthusiastic team members and families participating at planting days, and enjoying a delicious BBQ’s aftr the hard work.
This year, Alsco co-hosted a series of five planting days with Million Metres as part of their ongoing commitment to waterway restoration. Teams from Alsco branches around the country have been grabbing gumboots and spades and heading out to plant trees along local rivers and streams. Alongside the great turn out of Alsco staff and families, these days have also provided an opportunity for the SBN team, our customers, our suppliers, and for members of the public to get involved and spend time restoring nature. Thanks so much to everyone that participated! The Alsco planting days this year produced more great results for New Zealand’s waterways!
16 JUNE - TE MIRO, CAMBRIDGE
To kick of the planting season, the Alsco Hamilton and Rotorua branches joined forces with Ngāti Hauā Mahi Trust to assist in restoration efforts in the Waikato region. Ngāti Hauā Mahi Trust is an Iwi-based initiative committed to the restoration, re-vitalisation and enhancement of waterways within their rohe. A tough crew of 15 braved steep slopes and wet weather to plant 2000 native trees on a private farm near Cambridge. This will contribute to ongoing efforts by Ngāti Hauā Mahi Trust to restore the health of Te Miro waterways that flow into the Waikato River. Well done and thanks to all!
19 JUNE - MARSDEN VALLEY, NELSON
Despite the rain, the inaugural Alsco planting day in Nelson had a fantastic turnout. Community members from toddlers to retirees and of course the local Alsco crew and families came out in full force! The day was co-hosted by Nelson City Council to help restore the Poorman Valley Stream in Marsden Valley. The stream and its surrounds are home to many species of native fish and birds. This planting will help improve their habitat and food sources. Our Nelson tam is looking forward to following the progress and growth in the years to come.
31 JUNE - CRAWFORD BASIN, CHRISTCHURCH
What an incredible effort from volunteers from Alsco, the local community and the SBN team who contributed to Conservation Volunteers New Zealand’s mission to plant 37,000 kahikatea trees in Crawford Basin this year. These seedlings will grow to become the largest stand of kahikatea in Christchurch since pre-European times. And the Alsco Christchurch branch and community planted the most native seedlings this year. A fantastic effort. Your efforts have contributed into transforming this area into a forested wetland that will benefit ecosystems and the surrounding community for years to come.
3 JULY - BARING HEAD, WELLINGTON
Another great day of planting, this time with the Alsco Wellington branch and local investors of the Sustainable Business Network. It was the second time Alsco has been involved at plantings at Baring Head, and despite being a notoriously wild and windy spot, and plagued by rabbits, the planting day was a huge success. David Gluyas, or Wellington Business Manager said "A great day out with the team and family, really rewarding and satisfying to see so many plants established over a large area.” Thanks to all of you from all of us.
7 AUGUST - MATUKU LINK
The fifth and final planting day for 2021 was held at a beautiful wetland in the Waitakere Ranges known as Matuku Link. This native forest block links untouched kauri forest, a river valley, wetlands and the sea, and is home to rare wetland birds like the matuku, pateke and puweto, as well as lovely spot for native eels.
a huge turnout of volunteers from Alsco, the Auckland City Mission and the Sustainable Business Network took part in three activities – planting native seedlings, hand releasing weeds from around 3000 baby trees that were already established, and going on a guided walk to learn more about the forest habitat and the wildlife it supports. We planted at this site 2 years ago as well, it was amazing to see the area develop and our previous plantings thriving.