Club Night May 2016

The AGM was held with President Jane Green being elected for another term. Over the last year, the Club has been busy with many walks and maintenance of the Herbert Forest. Wednesday Walkers have enjoyed walks in the Waitaki Valley. The Guest Speaker, Ian Davies, was the leader of saving indigenous trees in the Herbert Forest while he worked for the NZ Forest Service. From 1965, approximately 100 acres per year of gorse and native trees were burned to make way for Pinus radiata. The NZ Forest Service base was located in Dunedin and Ian asked them to consider a walking track which they agreed to, “for the loopies”. Ian then surveyed a track and when the weather was not suitable for forestry work, the employees worked on the track. This was the Podocarp Track established approximately 1968. School groups started to use the track and Ian became their Guide. In the early 1970’s, the Glenburnie and Hoods Creek Tracks were established by the Forestry. Thanks to Ian’s interest in indigenous trees and his initiative, many people have been enjoying these tracks for years and will continue to do so.