A Future Canopy consists of six species of native trees; Tōtara, Kōwhai, Pūriri, Rata, Rewarewa and Miro - spread across the two green islands of the Burton Avenue to provide a continual food source of flowers, nectar and fruit for native fauna and pollinators. The habitat created will cater to the local birdlife and residents over generations to come. The inherent physicality and plant lore of the chosen trees creates a living composition that will enrich local ecology in the suburban landscape.
The official opening and planting day on Monday June 14 2021, involved sixty students from Whanganui East School, Whanganui Girls’ College, Cullinane College, St Anne’s Catholic School. As part of the project, each school planted a tree at this site and were gifted selection of native trees for their own satellite plantings on school grounds. A Future Canopy, was developed as a permanent public artwork with support from the Whanganui District Council parks team, the community arts coordinator and funding from the Eleanor Burgess Trust. Media: A Future Canopy - video of the planting day | Article: Artist works with council and schools on ‘living sculpture’ project
Images: Brydee Rood 2021
