Greening Taupō Day, the biggest event of the year for Greening Taupō, is coming.
What began as a fundraiser and Arbor Day planting event but has turned into a festival of environmental education for the Central North Island will be held this year on Thursday, June 4.
Rachel Thompson, Kids Greening Taupō lead education coordinator says the organisation is expecting about 2000 people to attend and already has over 1000 students signed up from local schools.
“Epro will be there cooking venison sausages and Jude from The Bistro will have a huge batch of vege soup made from Misfit Garden's vegetables. We'd love to encourage workplaces to bring their staff down at lunchtime to have kai, make a donation, check out all of the activities, and plant a tree,” Thompson says.
About 4000 trees will be planted on the day as part of a native corridor being created to protect rare geothermal habitat and bring native birds into urban Taupō.
“Special guest, Donovan Bixley, will be there, along with about 50 stands with free activities. DJ Alexi will be creating a party atmosphere with his music, and we'll all be having a great time celebrating the environment, even in the middle of winter!”
Though, she says, if it is very windy, or there is torrential rain, the postponement date is the following day, Friday, June 5.
For those wishing to be involved with fundraising for Greening Taupō and Kids Greening Taupō on this day, Thompson is encouraging all workplaces and schools/ECE centres to have a 'Dress in Green Day' to collect donations, and there will be raffle ticket books available to purchase from [email protected].
Local sponsor Mitre 10 has donated an awesome selection of goodies for the raffles, Thompson says.
“We also need volunteers on the day to help things to run smoothly. Anyone wanting to volunteer can contact [email protected].
“Hopefully, the community comes out on the day to support these local organisations that work hard to make Taupō a better place for people and native wildlife. We’d love to see you there.”
Greening Taupō says it is grateful to Tenon Clearwood, Gallagher, First Credit Union, and Mātanga Projects for sponsoring buses to get students to the event.
Contact Energy is the major sponsor making the event possible.
