At our latest outing it was open season on blackberry at the Balmoral Recreation Reserve Camping Ground. This scenic 10 ha site between the Hurunui Bridge and Culverden is managed by the Balmoral Recreation Area Charitable Trust (BRACT), who leases it from the Council and looks after both the amenities and the reserve.

Together with BRACT volunteers, our team of 14 searched among remnant stumps of old pines to find and remove even the smallest blackberry plants. Where we found native plants engulfed in long grass, we took the opportunity to release them. After enjoying a sunny tea break, we tackled the bigger blackberry, some gorse and other weeds along the creek running through the centre of the campground.

The large pines that surrounded the campground were considered a hazard in high winds so the council removed them two years ago. Through the efforts of BRACT, a mix of exotics and natives have been planted in the exposed areas and in time the campground will once again have good shelter from the Norwesters. In addition to the recent planting work, it was reassuring to see a number of natives establishing among the stumps, such as cabbage trees, coprosma, corokia, matagouri, native broom and porcupine shrub (melicytus alpinus).

It is always a good feeling when we can leave a site and look back across the areas we’ve covered, and know that we’ve made a difference. Thanks to all who turned up and to John Davidson and the BRACT team.

For information about Hurunui Weedbusters and to sign up to our mailing list, contact: [email protected] or call Hamish Trolove, 021 1490052.

For information about BRACT, contact the president, Reg Anderson on 03 3182803