The Department of Conservation Wakatipu area office is aiming to plant 1ha of kowhai woodlands in the Wakatipu each year - or 1000 kowhai plants and 2000 shrubs - and it needs your help.
Dubbed "Project Gold", the scheme sought to increase the number of the trees, which were once common in Central Otago, although now there were almost none, Doc Wakatipu community relations ranger Susie Geh said.
"While the complete restoration of an ecosystem is a bit beyond us, woodlands supporting flocks of tui, pigeons, bellbirds, fantails and riflemen, along with a range of skinks and gecko, are absolutely possible.
"Project Gold requires many people and businesses to be involved to turn it into a true community project."
To qualify as a Project Gold site, the plantings needed to form a canopy and establish a "litter system" underneath.
"We are suggesting planting kowhai at 3m intervals to achieve this, and at least nine kowhai should be planted in each grove."
To limit drying air movement in small groves, Doc suggested the perimeter should be planted with dry shrubland species at 1m centres.
"The leaf litter should never be tidied and insecticides are not permitted.
"This canopy/litter combination will allow a good little ecosystem to develop, maximising insects and hence birds."
Businesses and individuals were being sought to establish a Project Gold site, which could be on public or private land.
Ms Geh said Kiwi Discovery had already "started the ball rolling" with a generous donation.
• A public information evening to find out more about Project Gold will be held at the Doc Wakatipu area office, in the Cavells Building on Arthurs Pt Rd, on August 24 at 5.30pm. To RSVP please email sgeh@doc.govt.nz
