Arbor Day was celebrated earlier than usual this year to coincide with the 70th Annivesary of the US Marines stay in Paekākāariki during World War II.
Kāpiti’s Greater Wellington Regional Councillor Nigel Wilson welcomed large numbers of pupils, teachers and parents from Te Ra Waldorf School, Raumati South School, and Paekākāariki School. Also attending were other Councillors, Friends of QE Park and Greater Wellington staff had also been involved in the Marines celebrations earlier in the day.
Cr Nigel Wilson thanked those assembled for attending the twelfth Arbor Day planting at Queen Elizabeth Park.
“Our Arbor Day planting this year is a bit different as we’re celebrating it earlier than usual so that we can also celebrate due to the 70th anniversary of the US marines who came to the Kāpiti Coast during World War II and I know that some of you were at the special memorial service for the marines this morning.
“We thought it was so important to keep the Arbor Day tradition of welcoming schools to the park to plant trees to and recognise not only Arbor Day but also World Environment Day and the theme this year is ‘Green Economy’. A Green Economy results in us reducing the amount of carbon gas that goes into the air, encourages us to use our resources such as water much more efficiently, and it creates an environment where society is more equal.”
Cr Wilson said “today’s planting will take place next to the Marines wetland. We’ll be planting 600 native trees to enhance and improve the area. Planting trees is important, but we at Greater Wellington Regional Council can’t do this work on our own. It is really important to have you all involved in the planting projects and it’s fantastic to have all of you here today to help us improve Queen Elizabeth Park.”
