BLIA In Halswell Quarry Tree Planting Day

In line with Master Hsing Yun's “Environmental and Spiritual Preservation” ethos, Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) South Island New Zealand took part in a casual tree planting activity on September 26 at Halswell Quarry Park, as part of a joint initiative between Christchurch City Council and Trees for Canterbury. Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island Venerable Jue Xi, BLIA South Island President See Shen Lee, Vice President Louisa Kuo and James Low and 30 other BLIA members came along for the weekend activity. The group included about 5 BLIA families, with participants ranging from as young as 6 years old to 77 years old. Several other community groups and public members also took part in the tree planting activity at the park.

Robbie Hewson, the activity organiser, was pleased to see so many community groups coming to the Halswell Quarry Park Planting Day to green up Christchurch. He mentioned that the site was specifically chosen to protect against soil erosion on the banks of the Halswell river also as a habitat for vegetation. Robbie taught the participants on the proper way to plant a tree sapling, and reminded everyone to be mindful of safety. Labour MP Hon. Ruth Dyson was also there to offer her support, and very pleased to see so many BLIA members supporting the activity. BLIA Vice President Louisa Kuo said that caring for the Earth is part of the BLIA spirit, and that it was also a good opportunity for some of the families to get together and bond around such a meaningful activity.

With everyone's effort, over a thousand tree saplings were planted that day on the hillslopes and around the river banks in an orderly manner. After all the hard work, BLIA members enjoyed an afternoon picnic under the beautifully flowering cherry blossom trees, making the most of the mid-spring weekend.