Lumsden’s brand new Community Nursery isn’t going to open with a big fanfare but their first annual Big Plant Sale is guaranteed to cause some attention.

Reforest Southland Trust is the brainchild of Josie Blackshaw and Daniel Jones who had the vision to do something about saving a small species of fish found in the creeks around Lumsden.

The Gollum Galaxiid is endemic to Northern Southland and is struggling for survival.

Volunteer Kate Morgan lends a hand at Lumsden's community nursery. Photo: Jeanna Rodgers

This couple of self-professed plant nerds came up with the idea to plant out the creeks of Northern Southland, starting with the creeks around Lumsden.

That idea then turned to how they would be able to obtain enough Native plants and the Lumsden Community Nursery was born.

Josie and Dan, and their team of trustees, managed to obtain funding from MPI One Billion Trees fund, Community Trust South and the Northern Community Board and set about finding a spot for the nursery.

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“We'd been looking for a suitable spot, something in town and accessible for everyone.” said Josie. 

“We were at the Bafe one day and talking about how the spot next door would be perfect. Chris and Jude gave us Christene's phone number, a phone call later we had a space!”

The location, on the main street in Lumsden, is ideal and you just can’t miss it.

Community support meant that the ground works were completed and the fencing erected in time for the volunteers to step in to put down weed matting, create plant beds and set about propagating native plants.  

Lumsden Community Nursery all ready for it's Big Plant Sale. Photo: Jeanna Rodgers

Generous donations from MPI Billion Trees, Community Trust of Southland, Northern Community Board Community Partnership Fund, Grasslands Community Donation Fund and the Lotteries Community has made things move a lot quicker than expected.

Reforest Southland has been running planting sessions since January 2020, but moving into the nursery in May has meant that people know exactly where to go to help out and they have been well supported by volunteers.

Sarah, one of the regular volunteers, comes with her young children.

“Helping a local initiative take care of our earth seems practical, and we enjoy the social aspect.” she commented.

“As a family, my children and I are learning interesting new skills. Also, seeing how fast the young plantings grow is really exciting”

One of the aims of the Trust is to be self-funding through the sale of plants.

They have pledged to replant 70% and sell 30% which is one of the reasons for this coming weekend’s Big Plant Sale.

Open from 10 until 1 on Saturday 30 October, there will be plenty of lovely native plants to choose from, and you may even get time to see your own little Gollum hiding in the creek nearby?