(Image shows Cambrilea founder, Charlie Lea (left) and Waikato Regional Airport Chief Executive, Mark Morgan (right).
House hunting Hamilton bats have 45000 more options to choose from after a tree planting project at the city’s airport reached a major milestone this week.
To be fair, it’ll be a few years before the trees are ready to roost in and there’s another 35000 to be planted before the project is complete.
The initiative will provide a habitat for the endangered long-tailed bat (pekapeka) and a forest sanctuary for the general public.
Work began in May, and so far, 45,732 trees and shrubs have been planted across 11 hectares. Another 5 hectares are planned for planting in the next few years.
(Image shows the “Cambrilea Army” parked at the job site)
Cambridge-based planting contractor, Cambrilea, is behind this large-scale project and has been thrilled with the feedback they have received so far.
“We’ve had people drive past and they are blown away,” said Cambrilea founder, Charlie Lea.
Hamilton Airport chief executive Mark Morgan, said the milestone contributes to a long-lasting legacy.
(Image shows: The city’s newest green escape, already a welcome space for the community.)
“We’ve now got a site we can be proud of,” Morgan said. “I think we’ve created what will be a slice of paradise.”
Though it hasn’t been formally announced, the site is already open to the public and locals are pleased to have new walking tracks.
“It’s been great to see the immediate neighbours are, of course, delighted,” Morgan said.
The site is home to a wetland pond and 40 different native species, planted by Cambrilea’s full team of 24.
(Image shows a birds eye of what’s soon to be a thriving forest for both the public and the Pekapeka.)
Over the next two years the site is expected to be transferred to an independent charitable trust. During this time Cambrilea will continue to maintain the green space and, if possible, will opt to continue after the land is transferred to a charitable trust.
Morgan emphasised the significance of that plan:“The fact that it’ll be in trust and gifted in perpetuity to that use, provides a really nice legacy for the airport company and our shareholder.”
This article first appeared in the Waikato Times - see here.
