A fine but frosty start to Sunday 12th and the Society hosted its fourth annual Project Gold Planting at Woodhaugh Gardens in the Town Belt. The date was chosen to celebrate the original date of Arbor Day (August 8th) founded by Society co-founder Alexander Bathgate in 1892. This year the Society were joined by Dunedin Host Lions Club who are celebrating their 100th anniversary. The Lions celebrated in style with three beautiful specimen kahikatea trees and a commemorative plaque. It was very pleasing to have pupils and parents from Arthur Street School and members of the Student Leadership Team from our Town Belt Education Initiative. The Initiative has a new name and are now called the Town Belt Kaitiaki, led by Claudia Babirat. With a few introductions and a quick planting demonstration by Society President Paul Pope, it was promptly into the planting with nearly 300 native trees planted in just over an hour. We had a very pleasant morning in the sun and even had time for a barbecue. A job well done, and a fitting tribute to Alexander Bathgate. (Click on the pictures to see in viewer).
