Eco West Festival
For the second year, The Living Tree Company has taken part in the EcoWest festival. After a successful event-hosting role in the 2015 festival, we were invited to return to take part in the 2016 festival.
EcoWest festival is set up by EcoMatters and is a sustainability- and environment-focused festival, with more then 60 events hosted by businesses, environmental groups, community groups and residents.
We wanted to offer a positive way for children to learn about nature and to appreciate how trees are just as different from each other as animal species or humans. With an interactive pamphlet (see attached pdf) we were able to walk through Ark in the Park and identify species by matching leaves to their trees and completing a work book. It was a fun way to explore the bush and talk about trees, ecosystems and biodiversity.
New to our part in the festival this year was our Hidden Gems of Waitakere, a walk from Arataki to Huia aimed at taking teenagers and adults out through some of the lesser-seen tracks of Waitakere and learn about trees. It turned out to a fun day of botanical identification and talks about Kauri Dieback, restoration, emerging environmental issues and what we can do in our own backyards.
It is a rewarding experience to share knowledge about trees and the ecosystem that surrounds us. The Living Tree Company is looking at furthering their contribution to educational work regarding trees and our environment, especially with children as a positive way to learn about nature. But just as important is to raise awareness for all.
We are now in the planning stage for more walks through the beautiful Waitakere Ranges. Keep an eye out on our social media and EcoMatters events page.
If youd like to know more about EcoWest Festival, here is the link http://ecowest.org.nz/ or the organisers EcoMatters http://www.ecomatters.org.nz/