Marie Hazledine-Barber

Jason McElwain the Enviromental Logger

Pine plantations scattered throughout the Marlborough Sound  hills reaching maturity the loggers, unlike Jason, contracted to fell the plantations, leave behind a scarred landscape of clearfelled land.

Clay ribbon tracks like veins criss-cross the landscape. Laid naked to the wind, rain, sun the exposed landscape provokes thought of the indigenous plants, creatures that have scurried away or died in the process of the felling.

Sitting on a felled pine log a Weta “God of Ugly Things” (Translation from the Maori name wetapunga) appearing alone and lost.

So bare are the hills a rabbit would have to take a cut lunch. A saying taken from the local farmers leaning on the fence feet squarely planted in the lush paddock of green grass sporting the latest in gumboots.

Chips of wood go flying from his chain-saw, logger, Jason McElwain works an environmental approach, choosing only the best matured trees, cuts so the angle is such that the tree falls with little impact on the bush. Care taken to ensure young indigenous trees had no impact in the felling.

The road into the bush that was graded by the  Jason serves as a road and possible link to Department of Conservation walking tracks.  Well graded with gentle curves it meanders through a heavily laden pine tree hill: a mix of indigenous growth and wild life.

The hauling out the logs are chained together pulled to the new road then to a clearing for stripping the bark and cutting to size then stacked.

Being aware of the environment the art form of an environmentally caring logger preserving as much of the bushland without clearfelling, seems to give strength to the land and promotes the possible seeding of natives that would have a chance to take hold and grow.

As many parts of New Zealand rural land for cattle or sheep are bare of a tree it is thought provoking as all animals like shade or shelter more trees should be planted. New Zealand natives.

Buttered coloured hills of broom on some previously clearfelled areas undergrowth compete to take hold, perhaps taking into account the bare hills, the environmental caring loggers the bush land and the logging for timber could co-exist.

The rural districts benefit from trees planted in the paddocks offering shelter or shade. So does the Nation and those that care for the land or promote the growth of indigenous species require a louder voice hand in hand with funding/investment?

For the future maybe the rabbit will not need to pack a cut lunch.

i the fly

cabbage pots and tins

i visit,

free to fly over tree tops and

razor wire fences,

i buzz the vast bush lands

wings spread,

flying great speeds,

free,

pest to you,

i carry disease that affect me not,

God made me like this,

that is my lot,

i have my uses and break down waste,

eco friendly chap i freely fly,

leaving you sadly

behind razor wire fences,

with cabbage pots and tins.

Written for all people trapped behind razor wire fences, refugee camps,  for those trapped in mind behind razor wired fences with views of a wonderful world. Those that are aware for change and do nothing.

Extending life in a peaceful environment, to live as one chooses, grounded with nature and being globally connected, does require a special patch of land.

A retreat for the holidays, write or create the painted masterpiece in surrounds that allow the creative flow through one uninterrupted.

Waxed buttercups in the fields below sparkle in the morning sun, soaring above through the native bush land and trees often seen are Kereru New Zealand’s only native wood pigeon. Kereru (wood pigeon) is the only surviving bird since the moa capable of ingesting large fruit and berries from native bushes. But partial to the common plum tree, eco friendly important bird for the dispersion of seeds of the native bush land. It is also able to drink without lifting their head to swallow which is unusual for the bird species.

Apart from many other species from quail, fantails, bell bird , ducks, to a peacock who lives happily alongside the busy wild life, he often strolls across the road with his tail fully fanned out in a magnificent display of emerald colours: if willing allows one to pass.  Koromiko offers keen bird watchers a place for diversity of New Zealand’s native birds.

The opportunity for development in an eco friendly way considering the neighborhoods’ of busy families of New Zealand’s wild life to live in harmony  alongside each other . Preserving the native bush land and aiding the regeneration of new native growth.

An eco stay with a difference. An extended peace project of change.  Like the buttercups in the fields awakening to spring so grows awareness.