THE PARK RANGERS LITTLE HELPERS

I am a well-known International and National writer ( age 87yrs).awarded New Zealand Order of Merit Queen's Birthday Honours 2003 for services to literature. Emjay Publishing 1990 has published 15 environmental books. I am published also by Random House, Raupo, Penquin, Books. for Info: Google Marlene Bennetts writer NZ.

Some 20 years ago An Estuary Trust woman and a Park Ranger with volunteers began restoring the polluted Charlesworth Reserve, Heathcote Estuary wetland. Every Sunday afternoon, they met planting trees and all manner of other plants, to entice the creatures, birds and insects that had once lived back. Despite hard frosts, earthquakes, flooding and other setbacks, they pressed, on eradicating predators, making information signs, wooden bridges over small ponds and a gravel walking path. The wetland has been awarded an International Recognized Estuary wetland ,where young and old can experience and learn when visiting this now flourishing Reserve. After 20 years of restoration, Charlesworth is now a fully functional; wetland eco system again. It has been given 'A WETLAND of INTERNATIONAL SIGNIFINANCE ' Award. This funding will pay for artwork and design for a children's coloured illustrated fact/ fiction book, to be used in schools, libraries and sold to help raise funding for another Estuary wetland to be restored. This December. special celebrations are being held, to commemorate a once polluted wasteland back to life for anyone to enjoy.