Clyde Railhead Community Eco-Nursery

15/10/2026

There is always something to do at the nursery even if it is pouring down all morning!
Our fabulous shed funded by The Sargood Bequest became a dry workspace for 9 of us yesterday. Cuttings, the pricking out of over 400 hundred native plants, w**ding of trays along with a lovely morning tea were all able to be carried out yesterday. Thanks Sargood Bequest and of course thank you to the hardy volunteers who turned up yesterday.

Heres hoping for some nicer weather next week though🤞

09/10/2026

Now we have some extra daylight it is time to kick off our monthly Chop n Chat sessions. Tuesday 13th of October from 6pm to 7:30pm.

For those who may be new volunteers or didn't make a session last year, we visit one of our three projects twice over the summer season. The tasks could be a range of things depending on the site and its needs. From removing plant guards to mulching, from trail making to the ever present need to w**d!

This year we are starting at Korimako Corner. A few of you helped plant out earlier this year for our Conservation week activity so you may be interested to see how your babies are doing. For those who have never heard of Korimako Corner it is at the junction of State Highway 8 and Springvale Road. It is also our only site with the luxury of a nearby loo and contains many special, small Central Otago native plant species.

We will be barrowing mulch, moving a little gravel, grubbing a nuisance Australian tussock and then there is fine w**ding. We will have a lot of tools available but bring your favourite w**der along if you like, along with gloves and closed in shoes.

If you would like to join us or are perhaps thinking about it, please RSVP as that helps with refreshment planning and to let you know if there are any last minute changes. If you have any questions please email Rach at, [email protected] or complete the RSVP form https://forms.gle/BZtWtBSXGLcABFka7

06/10/2026

With this warmer weather and with loads to do now is a great time to be switching to nursery SUMMER HOURS. 9am to 12pm (or whenever you can make it during that time) every Thursday.

STARTING TOMORROW.

Come join us for (up to) three hours of great company, fresh air, propagation tasks, an appreciation and better understanding of our local native species and if we are lucky some of Tim's famous cheese scones for morning tea!

No experience needed, we will train you up. Just bring along your enthusiasm and your favourite pair of gardening gloves.

The native plants that our amazing team produces go mostly to community groups planting natives on public land around Central Otago.

If you have any questions just email [email protected]

05/10/2026

Chionochloa rubra / red tussock for sale!
Just an update on a wee fundraiser for the Trust thanks to Paul a regular supporter of the Trust. Paul would like you to know that he has just a few more plants left...

He has been growing red tussocks for his own home project and has a few surplus to requirements. While we are not normally an avenue for selling plants on behalf of others, $1 from each plant sold is going to be donated to the Trust.
This is not a species we grow ourselves as our restoration projects are focused on dryland habitats, but we understand that this species is becoming increasingly popular for home gardens and amenity plantings.
If you are interested or have any questions, kindly contact Paul -see details below and get in quick, they are disappearing fast!
RED TUSSOCK Chionochloa rubra $6 Root trainer grown Red Tussock suitable for planting or growing on. 25 - 30cm.
Easy planting. Make a hole with a crowbar deeper than the root depth, add compost or fertiliser tab (as per packet instructions) then plant and gently firm in place. Available in lots of 20. Share with a friend if you require fewer numbers. Collect only. Cash or verifiable e-banking. Tax invoicing available.
Paul Dodgshun
136 Hillview Rd
RD 1
ALEXANDRA 9391
027 2859400 See less

04/10/2026

PLANTING OPPORTUNITY THIS WEEKEND with our friends from the Central Otago Wilding Conifer Control Group.

10th of October

Come make a meaningful difference to the Styx Valley by participating in our planting day this spring! This collaborative day features native trees donated by Trees that Count, on-the-day assistance from Tiaki Maniototo and Central Wilding Group and a lunch generously provided by EcoFund.

Reply to this email [email protected] for carpooling and catering purposes.

Planting site 2WD accessible https://maps.app.goo.gl/8HEeCiST4N5tiFdy8

Date: Saturday 10th October, 2026
Time: 9am - 12:30pm
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8HEeCiST4N5tiFdy8

13/09/2026

Thank you to the Dunstan High School Students from the Year 11 Primary Industries class. We hosted them for a session on what is involved in running a nursery and some nursery processes a few weeks ago. Then on Friday they came back to have a walk around our restoration site at Korimako Corner and help with a bit of w**ding and landscaping. I hope our path is almost finished as they have just about run us out of gravel!

08/09/2026

AGM tomorrow night at 7pm. Come and learn from Charlie our guest speaker and DoC Operations Manager about some of the important projects they are working on in our area.

You will also hear about our last year of work and where we get to thank you our Friends and supporters publicly.

St. Enochs Church Lounge is the location, 12 Centennial Avenue, ALEXANDRA.

Everyone welcome and supper to follow.

02/09/2026

Well it really is hard to believe another year has gone by and it is AGM time again!

We love this opportunity to share with you, our supporters, volunteers and Friends, our achievements of the last year.

We also have a guest speaker. This year it is Charlie Sklenar, Department of Conservation Central Otago Operations Manager.

Her team of around 30 leaders and rangers manage one of DOC's most diverse portfolios, including 48 huts, 1,435 kilometres of tracks and 652 visitor structures across spectacular varied landscapes from Haast Pass in Tititea Mount Aspiring National Park through to the end of the Otago Central Rail Trail; all of this alongside providing recreation opportunities for thousands of visitors and conserving heritage sites. The district plays a critical role in protecting some of New Zealand's most endangered biodiversity, including threatened lizard species and nationally critical plant communities. She will be talking about some of these projects in detail.

Supper will follow.

Here are the details;
When: Thursday the 10th of September, 7pm
Where: St. Enochs Church Lounge, 12 Centennial Avenue, Alexandra

If you are able to make it, or even think you may attend we would appreciate you completing this RSVP form.

Venue: St. Enochs Church lounge, 12 Centennial Avenue, Alexandra, 7pm. Guest speaker: Charlie Sklenar talking about various local DoC projects around Central Otago

31/08/2026

Chionochloa rubra / red tussock for sale!

An interesting fundraising opportunity has come our way thanks to Paul a regular supporter of the Trust.

He has been growing red tussocks for his own home project and has a few surplus to requirements. While we are not normally an avenue for selling plants on behalf of others, $1 from each plant sold is going to be donated to the Trust.

This is not a species we grow ourselves as our restoration projects are focused on dryland habitats, but we understand that this species is becoming increasingly popular for home gardens and amenity plantings.

If you are interested or have any questions, kindly contact Paul -see details below and get in quick, they are disappearing fast!

RED TUSSOCK Chionochloa rubra $6 Root trainer grown Red Tussock suitable for planting or growing on. 25 - 30cm.
Easy planting. Make a hole with a crowbar deeper than the root depth, add compost or fertiliser tab (as per packet instructions) then plant and gently firm in place. Available in lots of 20. Share with a friend if you require fewer numbers. Collect only. Cash or verifiable e-banking. Tax invoicing available.

Paul Dodgshun
136 Hillview Rd
RD 1
ALEXANDRA 9391
027 2859400

16/08/2026

Our latest monthly newsletter is out now. Check your inboxes or heaven forbid 'junk' files, if you are yet to see it.

Items are on; the Half Mile Reserve including success rate statistics, thank you to CLT, our new nursery hours and Plant of the Month: Alpine hard fern, Austroblechnum penna-marina subsp alpina (not a mouthful at all).

If you wish to sign up to the newsletter then please click this link
https://forms.gle/xriP8iCU66PCKWie8