Update June 2024
Cyclone Gabrielle was devastating for the Esk Valley and our planted area was pretty much wiped out with silt. Some species did survive, particularly the cabbage trees and a few flaxes and pittosporum. Take a look at the photos below.
After a few months of recovery, our group formed again to take stock and discuss the future. We were mid way through developing a nursery before the cyclone hit and the group decided we should continue. The kitset for the nursery structure had been delivered but got buried in silt. With the generous help of Pan Pac staff, the nursery has been recovered and we are now in discussions with Pan Pac on a suitable location for the nursery, further back from the river than originally planned.
The Esk catchment still very much requires biodiversity and stabilisation and native planting in the right locations will help.
