Whareama School has been involved in dune planting at Riversdale Beach for several years. They have come at the request of the Dune Committee, at Riversdale Beach, which has received Regional Council funding for dune restoration. The school has been back on several occasions to plant different areas, and clean up around previous plantings.

The school is planting pingou, spinifex and sand coprosma to try to restore the sand dunes, which have been over run with marram grass. They have removed lupin and other non-native plants to make way for appropriate dune plants.

A second project the school has been involved in is planting the parking area at Rewanui Forest Park, a local park, which is publically owned, and run by the Montfort Trimble Foundation. Here they planted lemonwoods, titokis, meulenbeckia astonii, kowhai, cabbage trees, and hebes, in a previously grazed paddock.

Whareama School was invited to take part in the Rewanui Planting. They are returning this winter, 2008, to plant carry on their conservation work.

Whareama School has a partnership with the Regional Council and the Dune Committee at Riversdale Beach. At Rewanui Forest Park they have a partnership with the Trustees of the Montfort Trimble Foundation.

Nominated by: Liz Waddington, Co-ordinator Manuka Reserve