Peter Reimann has been named as an environmental champion in Greater Wellington's Environmental Awards
Ngaio resident Peter Reimann has been named as an environmental champion in Greater Wellington's Environmental Awards. ?It has been a real learning exercise; I didn?t know all that much about plants and had a lot of questions. ?I had a background in tramping and from that a real appreciation of the bush ? one of the things I like about Wellington is it doesn?t have urban sprawl, rather hills and tongues of bush that give it character,? says Mr Reimann. As the volunteer ranger and chairman of the Trelissick Park Group, the Community Environmental Leadership Award recognises his role in promoting the parks restoration locally. Despite a humble and almost retiring personality, Mr Reimann has been instrumental in restoration work in Trelissick Park; he has an expert eye and inspires and encourages all those he works with. The group has 30 locals involved and is fast attracting more to its cause; David Grace became the projects Co-ordinator only three months ago. ?About 2-3 months ago I called Volunteer Wellington and asked for a list of the things I could get involved with. ?Then I got involved with the Trelissick Park Group. Peter is a modest and quiet chap who has worked tirelessly away for the past 10 years, he has really worked very hard at it,? says Mr Grace. The awards honour a select few individuals and groups from the entire lower North Island. Mr Reimann?s focus is on achieving the environmental goals in Trelissick Park?s Five Year Restoration Plan ? planting streamsides, removing weeds, pest animal control, and planting fast-growing species to suppress weed regrowth ? and huge progress is being made. ?The changes have been very noticeable in the past 10 years, the mid canopy plants are growing up and shading out the weeds. ?We are eyeing up the railway corridor next, that has a lot of land tied up in it and lots of weeds and black berry ? we are talking to Ontrack about them allowing us to work in that area,? he says.
