Upper Clutha native planting and habitat restoration group Te Kākano Aotearoa Trust is celebrating a standout year in 2024 - and looking to build on that momentum with more community action in 2025.

The mission of the long-running organisation is to inspire community native habitat restoration through propagation, education and hands-on participation.

Last year the local charitable trust planted more than 5,500 plants across 4,000 volunteer hours.

In addition, more than 2,000 local students and teachers took part in its education sessions over the year.

Trust chair Carrie Williams said the organisation’s achievements have been captured in its Annual Impact Report 2024.

“The report is full of great photos, facts and figures, but what we achieved last year is really all down to our people and partners,” she said.

Carrie thanked all those who attended nursery sessions and volunteer plantings, as well as the group’s funders, supporters and education partners.

“We truly couldn’t do what we do without you,” she said.

Te Kākano’s native plant nursery specialises in propagating plants of local origin, which have been used to undertake dozens of local native habitat restoration projects around the Upper Clutha. 

The trust aims to match its 2024 planting numbers this year, continuing work at established sites while expanding to new locations at Peninsula Bay, Mount Iron and along the Schools to Pool path.

The first community planting session of the season kicks off this Saturday (May 3) at Dublin Bay, in collaboration with WAI Wānaka.

Find more information about the planting session here.

PHOTO: Supplied