Trees for survival

• What is Trees for Survival?
• Who does what?
• How do I get involved?
• Who is involved with TFS in the Auckland region?
• What are the responsibilities of a landowner involved with TFS?
• Why is it important to plant trees?

Children Planting Trees

What is Trees for Survival?

Trees for Survival (TFS) involves partnerships between school students who grow and plant the native trees, service groups who sponsor the schools, regional councils who select the planting sites and landowners who care for the trees.

Trees For Survival is a nation-wide programme, with nearly 100 Plant Growing Units (PGU's) operating in schools throughout the country. In the Auckland Region, there are currently 45 PGU's, and several schools are actively pursuing the concept.

The Auckland Regional Council supports Trees for Survival through its rural land management team, as part of its soil conservation and sustainable land management functions.

Visit the Trees for Survival website for more information.

Who does what?

The ARC supports Trees for Survival by co-ordinating seed collection and growing of seedlings before they are sent out to schools. The ARC is involved in the assessment of erosion prone sites, allocation of plants and the organisation of planting days for schools in the Auckland Region. The ARC also helps co-ordinate support for schools involved with the programme.

Schools are responsible for the growing of the seedlings. Throughout this process they are able to impart knowledge to students about the importance of trees and how to care and nurture for plants. Students also get the opportunity to plant trees they have looked after, and for many, this is their first visit to a farm.

Planting

Supporting organisations such as the local Rotary Club provide the finance for on-going costs. This includes seedlings and potting mix and stands at approximately $500 per year. Supporting organisations also help the PGU's, especially for potting on sessions.

Field officers are volunteers who are often connected to the school in some way. They provide support for the teacher in charge of the PGU. Field officer duties may involve ordering supplies and helping-out on planting day.

How do I get involved?

• As a landowner, you may have some erosion prone land which you are planning to retire and plant out
• Become a Field Officer who helps schools involved in the programme
• Sponsor a unit at your local school and help get the programme going in your area
• Your community organisation could become a supporting organisation for the school. The supporting organisation helps pay the annual costs of running the PGU
• If you are enthusiastic and like working with students, then it is more than likely Trees for Survival will be able to utilise your skills. To find out more contact Rob Hughes, Manager Rural Compliance, ph 09 366 2000 extn 8083 or email rob.hughes@arc.govt.nz.

Who is involved with TFS in the Auckland region?

Schools and supporting organisations

What are the responsibilities of a landowner involved with TFS?

The main responsibilities:

• fence off the planting site permanently from stock and ensure that this fence remains stock-proof
• prepare the planting site by removing any weed and animal pests, and keep the site pest free
• presence on planting day, and we ask landowners to provide a sausage sizzle and refreshments as a way of saying thank you to the planters.

Kids Planting Trees

Why is it important to plant trees?

• Trees help fight erosion by binding the soil with their roots - the roots hanging onto soil particles, preventing them from sliding downhill
• Trees also de-water the soil and act as umbrellas to protect soil from the rain
• Trees also provide habitat for birds and insects.
  

For more information contact Rob Hughes, Manager Rural Compliance, ph 09 366 2000 extn 8083 or email rob.hughes@arc.govt.nz.