Here's some pics from yesterday to give you an idea of what we accomplished. The goal was to collect 2000 willow cuttings to be planted on the banks around the bridge. We had around 20 volunteers show up from CT4WD, CJA, Ghost Watershed Alliance Society, Cows and Fish, and even some local residents from the Waiparous and Benchlands area. Unfortunately we were only able to collect 1200 cuttings which means we'll have to plant 12 willows per linear metre instead of 20 per metre. The next part of the work for this bridge will take place on the weekend of May 9-11th. I'm hoping we can have a better turnout for that since there's more advanced notice than there was for yesterday. I'm also hoping that if the conditions are good that weekend we can camp either at the bridge site or at one of the group camping spots off the 40.
Pretty good turnout despite the weather.
DSC00575.jpg by
BurningChr0me, on Flickr
DSC00576.jpg by
BurningChr0me, on Flickr
DSC00577.jpg by
BurningChr0me, on Flickr
Sawzall really does saw all. Probably one of the most versatile power tools out there.
DSC00570.jpg by
BurningChr0me, on Flickr
Putting the bundles together. Each bundle has 20 cuttings.
DSC00573.jpg by
BurningChr0me, on Flickr
DSC00580.jpg by
BurningChr0me, on Flickr
One of the CT4WD members who had to cancel sent hot chocolate, chips, Vietnamese subs, cheese buns, and goodies from Amandine bakery.
DSC00578.jpg by
BurningChr0me, on Flickr
DSC00579.jpg by
BurningChr0me, on Flickr
Two Tacos and a Ridgeline stacked with cuttings to be transported to the storage site down Richard Road in the Waiparous area. They'll be packed in snow and straw and covered with a tarp until they're ready to be planted. The reason we had to go out now is that the willows have to be harvested in the winter while they're dormant. In the spring the snow that's packed around them will melt and help them spring new roots and the places we cut them from will also start to regrow.
DSC00581.jpg by
BurningChr0me, on Flickr
DSC00582.jpg by
BurningChr0me, on Flickr
One of the Tacos had to come back for a second load.
DSC00583.jpg by
BurningChr0me, on Flickr