Who are Reforest Southland?

Reforest Southland is a community nursery and reforestation trust, established in 2019 with the aim of bringing native flora and fauna back to the area, and promoting community growth and ecological education.

Reforest Southland (officially known as the Northern Southland Reforestation Trust) started in 2019 with a group of plant loving Lumsden residents looking for a local planting project. The vision and idea grew from there and the group formed a trust to help with fundraising. Funding was secured for the initial projects from a range of local organisations and businesses. We kicked off with two projects, replanting Lumsden Creek, and the Lumsden Community Nursery.

Our focus is on growing, replanting and regenerating areas of native bush, from riparian and marginal planting to larger reserves and parks, for the benefit of the local eco-system and the enjoyment of the local community.

Our Vision
The Trust has a vision for its work to act as a blueprint for people to activate community planting projects in their own areas. We’d love to see a thriving network of native ecosystems and communities in Northern Southland brought together by growing, planting, educating and inspiring.

Got a community project that you think we should be involved with? Is there an area in Northern Southland you would like to see planted? Should we plant along the cycle trail? Create a native park by the river? Whatever your idea, get in touch - we love ideas.

The Lumsden Creek
Does the Lumsden Creek run through your property? Would you like help with fencing and planting? We may be able to help – just get in touch and we can talk about ways to make it happen!

The Lumsden Community Nursery
The Lumsden Community Nursery is here to grow the right plants for local community planting projects and to supply native plants to landowners and gardeners. We hold a regular ‘Plant Lovers Social Club’ which includes planting days, field trips and nursery sessions, and are open for everyone to enjoy.
During Spring, Summer and Autumn we have Monthly Plant Markets on the first Saturday of every month. Outside those times, if the nursery is open you are welcome to come in, have a look around and say hi.
Check out the chalkboard at the front for more details or visit our facebook page or website.

Our first planting day at the Lumsden Creek in 2019
Seed collecting in local remnant bush (private) with rich biodiversity
Locally collected Fierce Lancewood seed, just ripe!
A rich variety of plant life germinated from a tray of leaf litter, collected locally.