“We are enormously proud of the Growing our Future project, which wouldn’t have been possible without our partnership with the Council,” says Acting Vice-Chancellor Jennifer Windsor.
“We’re fortunate to be able to give back to our city in this way, and it is wonderful to see current staff, students, and alumni working together to restore Wellington’s biodiversity.”
Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau congratulates Victoria University of Wellington on being highly commended in the Green Gown Awards for the Growing our future project. “Wellington City Council is proud to partner with the University on this innovative project to restore the ecological values of the Outer Green Belt and help reduce the city’s climate impact.
“This partnership is a great example of how we can work together to engage everyone in achieving our goal of a net zero carbon capital by 2050.”
As well as helping towards zero carbon goals through carbon sequestration, Growing our future strengthens the connection between the University and its home here in Wellington. The tree-planting project not only provides volunteer opportunities for the community, it also generates applied teaching and research opportunities, and enhances the biodiversity of the Wellington region.
Sustainability Director Andrew Wilks says, “We enjoy having Wellington City Council as partners on this project, and we look forward to managing the forest restoration on the Ohariu Valley block for the coming decades.”
Over the past two years, more than 300 students, staff, and alumni have volunteered to plant over 4,000 eco-sourced native seedlings. There have also been 249 donors supporting the project. In the next few years, the planting on the site will be complete, and the important work of looking after the forest will commence. The reforested site will contribute to the creation of an ecological corridor for native birds and other species, from Porirua, to Wellington’s south coast.
Native trees are expected to form a canopy over 80 percent of the land within seven to eight years.
Find out more about the Growing our Future project on the Green Gown Awards’ website or on the Growing our Future project website.