Generosity of neighbours provides legacy for Dipton School

Brian and Kristine Russell gifted a portion of their farm at Castlerock, near Dipton, to the school for students’ outdoor education.  The 2.7ha wetland area is home to the New Zealand falcon and a host of other native birds.

The Russells recently registered a forestry block on their farm in the emissions trading scheme and thought if the reserve was planted with trees it could also be registered with the scheme under the Dipton School’s name.

“In the future if the school needed extra income for a community-based asset it could sell the carbon credits that will be ringfenced for this purpose,” says Brian. 

“The funds could sit there for 10 years or 30 years but will always be growing and ready to be called upon when needed.”

Brian swung into action last month and approached Rayonier Matariki Forests to help with his plan of planting up the wetland.

RMF undertook pre-planting site preparation and drone surveillance of the wetland to create a map and estimate the number of native plants required.  Then on the day, the whole RMF Southland team dug it in and helped plant around 2,500 native plants, alongside the school community and other  forestry workers.  Species included manuka, cabbage trees, ribbonwood, fuschia, kōwhai and kahikatea which were donated by Reforest Northern Southland and Southern Forests.  NZ Conservation Services are also contributing with weed and pest control.

The wetland has been named Clearwater Reserve after previous owners, Belinda and Stephen Clearwater, who fenced off the wetland area during their guardianship.

Brian says the first Haast eagle skeleton was found in the adjacent Limestone cliffs above the wetlands and now resides in the Otago Museum.  “It’s a very special piece of land with wonderful biodiversity, limestone cliffs for climbing and the Dipton stream runs through the block.  It will provide endless opportunities for the children to do their science projects and learn about nature.

As well as encouraging flora and fauna who call the Reserve home, Brian wanted the Dipton School children to get an understanding of forestry and its potential career opportunities.

“We’ve got many hectares of trees being grown around here and a thriving forestry industry.  There are so many options for careers within forestry and by introducing the children to it now, hopefully some will seek it out when the time comes,” explains Brian.

Photo caption (above): 45 pupils, parents, grandparents, community members and forestry workers planted 2500 native trees and shrubs in the reserve as part of the Dipton School ecological and biodiversity project.