TOSSI – A sense of community

Over the past 30 years, Tawharanui has held a special place in my life. I’ve spent countless days camping there with family and friends, exploring its many trails, and joining community planting days.

Those early experiences sparked my appreciation for conservation and inspired a long-held mantra:
“One day, I’m going to become a regular TOSSI (Tawharanui Open Sanctuary Society) volunteer.” That day finally came in May this year, and since then, every Tuesday has been dedicated to volunteering at Tawharanui in the nursery with the wonderful TOSSI team.

Each year, the TOSSI group grows and plants up to 20,000 native trees, shrubs and other plants, helping to revegetate key areas of the park. Being part of the nursery team allows me to see the full cycle of this work – from seed to seedling to thriving native bush. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about knowing the plants we nurture will one day become part of the lush, living landscape of Tawharanui.

What I love most, though, is the sense of community among the volunteers. The team is made up of passionate, knowledgeable people who generously share their experience in seed collection, propagation and native plant care. Every Tuesday brings something new – some days we’re out in the park planting or collecting seed, while others are spent in the nursery pricking out tiny seedlings into individual pots. Just last week, we completed the impressive task of pricking out over 5500 seedlings, all of which will be ready for planting next year.

Volunteering with TOSSI has been immensely rewarding. It’s not just about giving back to the environment – it’s about learning, connecting and being part of something bigger. Watching Tawharanui flourish, knowing I’ve played a small part in its regeneration, brings me great pride and joy.

If you would like to learn more about joining TOSSI or becoming a volunteer, email secretary@tossi.org.nz.