Planting has now extended to the ridges on the south side above Bilberry Field Gut and below the Weather Station.  Before planting started we installed a new water distribution system to the area.  The system connects the Stabilisation Ponds by water supply lines to storage tanks just above the planting areas.  From the storage tanks more lines run the water to drip feed irrigation lines within the planting areas.  The irrigation system means our two forestry workers can use their time more usefully preparing the ground for further planting and caring for the new growth.

 A new and larger nursery is also being built.  Together with the nursery, better staff and storage facilities will be built and also a toilet block.  The nursery will make possible an increased propagation of gumwood saplings and allow us to propagate suitable endemic grasses capable of surviving in the harsh conditions which prevail on many parts of the 630 acres of land designated as Millennium Forest.

 We are also working towards better composting facilities.

The Millennium Forest – New Water Distribution System and a Larger Nursery

The Governor spent Friday morning out and about with Vince Thompson and Robert Darper seeing at first hand the work the National Trust is currently engaged in. At the Millennium Forest the Governor is seen here being shown the new planting areas and water distribution network, laid by the National Trust staff, which is required to give the trees a good start in the early years. Deadwood Plain and the Heartshaped Waterfall was also on the Governor's itinerary.

Related Information

Millennium Forest Update December 2007

Nursey Started

Work has started constructing a new, larger nursey at the Millennium Forest. The extra space in the nursey will mean a higher propagation rate for gumwood saplings. In addition, there will be room to propagate two additional endemics. The St Helena Tussock or Fibre Optic Plant (Bulbostylis Iichtensteiniana) is a sedge which should be able to cope with the poor soil and harsh conditions. The second, the St Helena Hair Grass (Eragrostis Saxatilis) has the same hardy characteristics.

Eventually the grasses will be planted in serveral parts of the Millennium Forest to replace the ever-present Creeper, slow down the rate of soil erosion and encourage insects back to what is now semi-desert scrubland.