Rugby Legends help plant over 120,000 native trees   4 Oct 2012

Rugby Legends help plant over 120,000 native trees

17 Rugby Legends including Sir Colin Meads, John Sturgeon and Bryan Williams have joined over 6,500 New Zealanders to plant more than 120,000 native trees as part of the Living Legends project so far.

Living Legends is a community conservation project that was established in 2011 to celebrate and leave a legacy of New Zealand’s hosting of Rugby World Cup. It is a five year project that will eventually see 170,000 native trees planted throughout New Zealand. A staggering 129,140 native trees have been planted so far.

2012 is the second year of planting for Living Legends and 17 public planting events were held around New Zealand in August and September, each dedicated to a Rugby Legend from the region. Buller-West Coast Rugby Legend, John Sturgeon says “It has been a privilege for me to be part of such a worthy community involvement and I was delighted with the turnout of volunteers from the West Coast and Buller areas who gave their time to Living Legends for the local planting days in 2011 and 2012. It was also pleasing to see so many young school children participating and learning about the part they play in conservation.”

Project Manager for Living Legends, Devon McLean says “We’re thrilled with the support from our Rugby Legends who have been actively involved in Living Legends planting days with the local community. Reaching the 120,000 trees mark is a huge milestone. We’re very proud of our commitment to helping to restore New Zealand’s bio-diversity with our Rugby Legends.”

Living Legends planting events will return next year, with dates and locations to be announced in early 2013.

Living Legends is a joint venture of Project Crimson, an environmental charity with 22 years experience in community-based native restoration projects and The Tindall Foundation. Major sponsors are the Department of Conservation and Meridian Energy.

Living Legends planting locations and associated Rugby Legends are:

Northland, Uretiti Reserve, Richie Guy;

North Harbour, Long Bay Regional Park, Buck Shelford;

Auckland, Motuihe Island, Bryan Williams;

Waikato, Lake Areare, Duane Monkley;

Bay of Plenty, Kaituna Wetland, Hika Reid;

King Country, Whakaipo Bay, Sir Colin Meads;

Taranaki/Wanganui, New Plymouth Coastal Walkway, Ian Eliason;

Hawke’s Bay, Ahuriri Estuary, Ian MacRae;

Manawatu, Manawatu Gorge, Sam Strahan;

Horowhenua/Kapiti, Whareroa Farm, Christian Cullen;

Wellington/Wairarapa, Wellington Town Belt, Sir Brian Lochore;

Tasman, Wakapuaka Wildlife Reserve, Todd Blackadder;

Buller/West Coast, Punakaiki, John Sturgeon;

Canterbury, Otukaikino Reserve, Tane Norton;

Mid/South Canterbury, Harris Scientific Reserve, Ashburton, Jock Ross;

Otago/North Otago, Orokonui Scenic Reserve, Kees Meeuws;

Southland, Bushy Point, Otatara, Kevin Laidlaw.

For more information about the programme please visit www.livinglegends.co.nz

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