How to Plant a Tree

At Coes Ford they plant a variety of trees such as totora, kowhai and more. They do this to get birds back into the area. This is how to plant a tree.
First you have to dig a square hole big enough to fit the plant.

Second you have to have to place the fertilizer tablet in and cover with dirt,the tablet is used to increase the plants growth.

Now you need to take the plant out of the pot. If it gets stuck you need to apply pressure. Now you need to carefully place the plant in the hole, then cover with all the dirt.

You need to get the blankets and put it around the tree. This helps to keep the weeds away and vermon. Then you put one bamboo stick in the ground and slip the sleeve over the plant. Then put the other three bamboo sticks into the sleeve.

At the end of the day I felt good to be helping.

Reuben Kelly

Brenna’s Coes Ford Video

Coes Ford Adventure 2012

The whole junior Burnham School and parents went to Coes Ford to plant native trees to create habitats for both insects and native birds. On Friday morning we were split into three separate groups. Our activities for the day were planting native trees, studying insects and aquatic invertebrates.

One of the activities was led by Mike who discuss the importance about insects. He mentioned about how insects disguise themselves in their environment. He explained by planting  native trees that we are improving insects’ habitats and  bringing back native birds. Later on he showed us a live weta  that some of us held.

With the aquatic vertebrates we discovered how they helped measure how healthy Coes Ford river is by counting the population of insects, especially the May Fly. We also separated the different aquatic vertebrates by using suckers into containers. We found that Coes Ford river  was healthy.

Our main objective for the day was to plant native trees. Brooke demonstrated how to plant a tree properly. We learnt how to use a protective blanket to stop weeds from destroying the tree. Also a  protective sleeve was required for each plant to stop rabbits and other animals eating the small trees.


At lunch time there was a boat race. The rafts were made from Harakeke ( flax).  Many of the rafts went off course and got tangled in the tree on the bank of the river.

We had an amazing time at Coes Ford but we were exhausted as we hopped into the bus and drove back to school.

Coes Ford on Friday the 7th September- Competition- Harakeke Canoe

Kia Ora,

The Envirogroup would like to invite our whanau  to join us at the annual  native tree planting at Coes Ford on Friday the 7th of September 2012 . 

Last year the students on this outdoor trip also learnt to weave Harakeke  and the customs surrounding this craft from Ngai Tahu elders. Students also investigated and appreciation of both aquatic and terrestial insects that inhabit  Coes Ford and it surrounding areas.

This year the Envirogroup would like to include a family challenge where students with help from their whanau design and create a Harakeke outrigger to race down Coes Ford at home. There is no actual size limit to the outrigger, however it should be able to sit on a student’s lap on a bus.

The outriggers will need to be made from the stem of a dead harakeke flower. These will be available outside Room 2 to be picked up and start designing and testing your outrigger on the 3 August .

There will be a prize for the most creative outrigger which need to be really to display on the 6 September.

                                            
                                          P.S it doesn’t need to be elaborate as this!!!

Meeting Notes

Grace- We need more regular meeting

Grace- We need more advertising , especially to assist with worms farms.

• The Envirogroup believes that a the school needs to purchase new worm buckets. However the worm buckets need a lid rather than a bucket.
• We also need to inform students what food can go into the worm buckets.

- For juniors, organise a colour competition that may be displayed in library.

- Poster need to look more professional, so students take more notice

School garden- Need fix the problem that no one caring for garden.
Fruit Tree Garden- Where the old vegetable gardens are???


Coes Ford:  

We had a discussion what activities that could change for the “ Coes Ford”. It was felt that year sevens and eight were allowed in the ford, where the younger students were allow.

Emelia -  Mention the idea of orienteering
- Mr Thurlow- Discuss that there might be safety issue.

Mr Thurlow- Running a competition that students or families make boats out of Harakeke.

Action plan- Mr Thurlow type up notes and have a meeting next Tuesday.

Te Ara Kakariki

Interesting in coming to see some of our greendots

The ‘tour’ takes in where Burnham School did there inaugural tree planting at Coes Ford. As a school we have penciled in the 7th September continue our tree planting at Coes Ford. Please keep this date free as a fun family day and caring for the enviroment.