More than 500 new native plants are in the ground on Petra and Dirk Dietsche’s property near Drummond in Southland after a community planting day on Tuesday (July 13).

More than 30 people, including farm staff, neighbours, kids and even some people from Invercargill, pitched in at the planting day, organised by the Waimatuku Catchment Group.

The plants are on a hillside that was previously in pine that slopes down into a series of three bunds helping filter water as it makes its way to the Waimatuku Stream.

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Thriving Southland and Environment Southland were also involved in organising the day.

The Dietsche’s are also involved in the Aparima Community Environment (ACE) project.

ACE is made up of the six Aparima Catchment Groups.