The aim of Green Corridors Range to River is to plant corridors of eco-sourced native vegetation along stream banks connecting the Tararua Range to the Manawatū River. This provides habitat for wildlife including birds, insects and lizards but also improves the water quality of the streams and thus helps the aquatic life. Council approached community members in 1998 to discuss the possibility of creating a green corridor of native plants from the Tararua Range to the Manawatu River. The first planting was in 2001. This group initially focused on the Turitea Valley but has now extended to many of the gullies in the Summerhill and Aokautere areas. Palmerston North City Council have developed an extensive system of walkways through many of the plantings.

Since 2001, volunteers have planted over 100,000 native plants in 15 hectares of gullies in the Summerhill area and 10 hectares of riparian margin along the Turitea Stream. Green Corridors hope to extend into other valleys between the Tararua Range and the Manawatū River such as Moonshine Valley, and into gullies in the Aokautere area.

The group has evolved into a successful collaboration between the community and the City Council. Projects are of a long-term nature, with successive planting and ongoing maintenance. Green Corridors sees the increasing importance of having areas of natural biodiversity close to urban areas, both for conservation and amenity reasons.

If you would like to help out with planting days or to make a donation then please get in touch.

Find Green Corridors on Facebook.