Healthy planet, healthy people: What are NZ’s ‘legacy forests’?
Cleaner air, better breathing, stress relief, disease prevention and defense from depression native trees offer a host of health advantages not only for us but for the planet we live on. That's why health promotion charity the Bupa Foundation has teamed up with Trees That Count to plant 10,000 native trees across their three 'legacy forests' in Napier, Hamilton and Christchurch this August and September. Special public planting events will be held so New Zealanders can help leave a legacy of their own that will stand for hundreds, if not thousands of years. The Bupa Foundation and Trees That Count created the three legacy forests in 2022, planting an original 10,000 native trees across three projects. This year they have returned to plant more trees and increase native tree cover. Each legacy forest is intended to create green spaces for the use and enjoyment of future generations, and enable New Zealanders to get involved with planting native tree spaces that contribute to biodiversity, health and wellbeing and fighting climate change, says Trees That Count head of partnerships, Melanie Seyfort. "It's impossible to imagine a better legacy that you could leave behind on this earth than a native tree that you have planted with your own hands that one day your grandchildren's children will stand underneath, listening to the sound of native birds," she says. More and more, we are beginning to understand that when our planet is not healthy, our own health suffers too. That inextricable link between the health of the planet and the health of the people who live on it is what drives the partnership between the Bupa Foundation and Trees That Count, says Seyfort. "The earth, or environment, is our home, and when our home isn't healthy, then our own physical and mental health suffers," she says. The partnership also acknowledges the significant links between Bupa's mission of caring for both older and future generations and the positive impact native trees have to help Kiwis live longer, happier and healthier lives, she says. "Spending time in native forests can, for example, reduce stress hormone levels and help to decrease harmful immune responses, like inflammation, allergies and asthma," she says. "Being around trees and nature also improves our mental wellbeing, and studies have found that spending time among trees can even improve concentration in children with attention deficit disorder." Not only do New Zealanders get to enjoy all the benefits of legacy forests, they get the opportunity to plant their own native tree in one of them, with the Bupa Foundation and Trees That Count holding three public planting days in August and September. "These are always really fun, free, family-friendly events that are perfect for grandparents to take the grandkids along to there's even a sausage sizzle!" You must register to attend the planting days. The first planting day will be held in Hamilton on 19 August at the Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park . The former dairy farm was established as Waiwhakareke in 2004, with the long-term aim of reconstructing the forest, wetland and lake ecosystems present in pre-European times. The second planting day will be held in Napier on Saturday 2 September 2023 at the Pirimai Walkway, a 4km walking and cycling route that was built along a stormwater drain. Planting the drain will provide habitat for native biodiversity, creating a natural corridor for birds and insects. The third planting day will be held in Lincoln, Christchurch on 10 September. There, Trees That Count and the Bupa Foundation are partnering with Te Ara Kakariki Canterbury Greenway Trust , who are creating a native greenway connecting the Canterbury foothills with the sea and Lake Ellesmere. Visit bupa.treesthatcount.co.nz to register for a Legacy Forest planting event or to learn more about the link between people and planet health. Sponsored content