Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research ecologist Norman Mason said reversing the almost total loss of kahikatea forests from the flood plains of the Piako may seem like a daunting prospect, but the community is one step closer to protecting its forests for future generations. The planted area connects a council-owned scenic reserve and a privately owned QEII National Trust conservation covenant. The freshly planted seedlings will help improve connections between these two fragments and increase resistance to weeds and weather extremes. supplied More than 80 volunteers showed up for planting day in Waharoa. “This is a great example of what can be achieved when landowners, the community, government agencies and conservation charities work together,” Mason said.