September 21

MEDIA RELEASE

Highwic’s organic park the bees knees

One of Auckland’s much-loved historic places is joining the For the Love of Bees project and making plans to become the city’s first urban Organic Park.

The aim will be to create a 1.1 hectare biological sanctuary for Auckland’s precious bee population.

Apiculture New Zealand has declared September ‘Bee Aware Month’ – which couldn’t be better timing for the ambitious project according to Cheryl.

“We’re excited that Newmarket Primary School students will be designing some ‘Pasture Paintings’ for Highwic in time for spring,” she says.

“The geometric organic plantings that transform passive green space into active green space, making them more productive for bees and other wildlife, are part of the For the Love of Bees tool kits that are being used across the city to provide safe food for bees. On September 28 students from Newmarket Primary School will start laying out their planting designs at Highwic.”

The high point will be on October 27 when the bees will be formally welcomed at Highwic, and the students will sow seeds into the shapes they have created in the orchard, eventually providing sustenance for the bees during spring and summer. It will also be good advance prep for Highwic’s Christmas Garden Festival (November 18-19).

“We’re looking forward to being part of the For the Love of Bees Project, and also partnering with the Tree Croppers Association on the orchard restoration project, and the Compost Collective in establishing Highwic as a compost hub,” says Cheryl.

This collaboration is being supported by Parnell Rotary and and Enviroschools, Sustainable Schools and Auckland Council. The drawing together of community groups is a key factor in the For the Love of Bees project.

“As well as supporting our bee population – and improving the overall quality of Highwic’s gardens, soil and orchard – we hope to show that a few key initiatives can have a really positive impact on our natural environment; and that everybody can make a difference.”

Highwic is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10.30am-4.30pm. For more information visit heritage.org.nz

People can learn about other collaborations on their website, www.fortheloveofbees.co.nz