FuturEcology & EmGuard ™ December 2024
By Jan Fryer
Welcome to December - already! I just found a photo of Emma whooshing down a natural rock-slide on Mt Taranaki at Christmas last year but she wouldn’t let me make it public. It feels a bit to me like that is how fast this year has gone.
I just had another birthday, and my father turns 90 years old this coming weekend, all of it reminding me of how time rushes by. It reinforces to me that we all need to seize the moment and the opportunities that come our way.
On that note, Shaun is moving on for some new adventures in the bigger wider world, having learnt some great grass roots skills at FuturEcology. We will miss his dedication to the restoration of our natural environment and his focus on doing great mahi. We wish him well in the next chapter of his life.
Evelyn joined our team earlier this year and she has been a delight to have around. Nothing phases Evelyn. On one of her very early days here, Shaun cut his arm with the flax cutter and she was first on the scene, sorting out the blood. Again, it has been a pleasure watching her confidence and skills grow. She has the interesting job of keeping us all focused on the work schedule ahead and I take my hat off to her😊 She does this with such grace.
Desiah got his Level 3 Certificate in Amenity Horticulture, which was a great achievement. He is going to be a photographer extraordinaire as you will see in the video below, so watch for his name in lights. He is always bringing us delightful observations of the natural world and his eye for detail is second to none.
Dan’s little family grew with the arrival of baby Sylvie in August, and we always love hearing the stories of the family antics, especially with Frankie the dog in tow. Dan told us he went to clown training school as a youngster and we often see proof of that, much to our amusement. He keeps us all grounded and we so enjoy his positive take on life.
Bridget continues to hold the fort as our go-to person in Marlborough, and does an amazing job far and wide on all sorts of interesting places in the region. She has had some very cool adventures this year, both locally and internationally and long may that continue. She can certainly out-fish the rest of the team too.
Emma is set for the biggest adventure of her life so far. Marrying Simon in March next year. Very exciting times! Around that, she has continued to send EmGuards all over the country, and manage relationships, and all the trials and tribulations of logistics with a sense of humour and determination. She is definitely my right-hand person and keeps me sane, particularly around the joys of technology!
Odin getting into the festive spirit.
Robert has had the challenging but rewarding job of steering the FuturEcology Waka through one of our biggest years yet. We planted close to 80,000 trees. Thanks to the team, this went very efficiently, and we really appreciated how the team worked so well together. The hardest job is crystal ball gazing into the future. Robert is always on his toes, looking at where we will be working in the coming years and managing the relationships and budgets. We are very appreciative how good he is at this. On a personal note, he has taken to wood carving like a duck to water. Some of the amazing pieces he has created have made their way into the hands of some lucky recipients. It is so nice to see him totally focused in a creative space.
Meanwhile, I work away in the background making sure everyone gets paid both internally and externally and keep the wheels on the bus going round and round. We have worked with some fantastic subcontractors this year including John and Mandy from Forever Trees, Cheril from Digital Spaces and our temps from Tech 5 Nelson. They make our lives here so much richer.
And of course we have you, all our clients to thank, for your belief in us, your ongoing support and your vision for a better, bio-diverse New Zealand. Please enjoy this video compiled by Emma and Desiah giving you a brief glimpse into a year at FuturEcology: 2024 - A year at FuturEcology.mp4
FuturEcology will be closed over Christmas, from 4pm on Friday 20th December, returning at 8am on January 6th 2025.
We wish you all a restive and festive holiday period and look forward to working with you again in 2025.
Tree of the Month
Coriaria arborea / Tutu
By Desiah Neho
Tutu or Coriaria arborea is a small tree growing up to 6m tall. It is multi stemmed from the ground up, but can also have a branchless trunk of up to 2m in some cases.
The bark is dark brown and smooth to somewhat flaky. Leaves are green, oval shaped, have a distinct vein pattern on the topside and are arranged oppositely on the stem. The inflorescences form at the base of the leaves and hang down loosely. The flowers are really small, about 2-3mm in diameter with 5 sepals, 5 petals and 10 stamens. The cluster of fruitlets are dark purple to black in colour.
Tutu is distributed all throughout New Zealand, usually found in open and disturbed areas. Tutu is amazing at colonising areas where other plants struggle, such as soil-less sites like riverbeds, rocky banks, cliffs and slip sites.
We have planted some tutu ourselves this year in the Wakapuaka, where floods have come through and deposited large amounts of rock and gravel, and along the rock riverbanks.
But be aware, tutu is New Zealand’s most poisonous native plant. Every part of a tutu, except the trunk is poisonous. It has killed an elephant, a lot of people and many farm animals. In some cases where tutu is abundant, it makes its way into honey and honey must be tested for the presence of tutin. This happens when sap sucking insects take sap from the tutu and excrete the sap back out into honeydew, which then the bees collect and take back to their hive.
Tutin is the neurotoxin found in tutu. It acts quickly on the central nervous and muscular system with symptoms of blurred vision, nausea, slurred speech, seizures, convulsions and eventually death. Convulsion and seizures could be so bad that bones snapped and popped out of sockets.
Despite how poisonous this plant was, early Māori seemed to find a way to consume the fruit. Fruit was placed in a finely woven bag, which was twisted and squeezed to get the juice out while retaining the seeds. Elders would then sieve the juice thoroughly to ensure no seeds were in the juice. I can only imagine how much trial and error there was in the early days.
Weed of the Month
Passiflora caerulea/ Blue Passion Flower
By Evelyn Nashiro
Blue passion flower is a hairless, high-climbing rampant vine, with angular shoots. The leaves are deeply 5-lobed with a thin, middle lobe 3.5-8.5 cm long.
Flowers are very distinctive with purple-blue and white colours. Flowering time is usually from December to April. However, the team at FuturEcology have been working on controlling this invasive plant, and we have been finding blue passion flowers blossoming from November in the Victory Area in Nelson.
Pictures taken by Desiah Neho – Blue Passion Flower Control Project (November 2024)
Did you know that blue passion flower is named in a list of 386 environmental weeds in New Zealand 2024 prepared by DOC? The biggest problem with blue passion flower is that its seeds are spread by birds and possums. It grows very quickly and the vines smother native plants. Blue passion flower also grows from layering, where stems touch the ground, forming roots, and therefore new plants. These new plants establish very easily in a wide range of soil types, which makes this invasive plant very hard to control.
Pie of the Month
By Jan Fryer
At our last staff meeting we were joking about how FuturEcology runs on pies. We have a little store, The Hira Store, next to our workshop and many a time staff can be found frequenting the store for a warm pie, especially on cold miserable days.
We have lots of discussions about where the best pies are in the Top of the South. One morning we headed out very early from Nelson to Seddon, in Marlborough, to do a wetland plant survey. After an incredibly roundabout trip because of all the roadworks, we somehow ended up in roadworks right outside Burleigh Pies in Blenheim. What a coincidence! Anna had never had a Burleigh pie and Alvin insisted that it wouldn’t be right for us to just drive past and not introduce Anna to these delicacies. So there we were, at 9am eating pies and delicious they were too.
So, my favourite pie to date in the top of the South, (it’s too far to drive from here for Fairlie Pies) is a Pork Belly Pie with the Chicken, Leek and Mushroom Pie a very close second. Yum! They do have a wonderful selection of pies though, so if you find yourself in Blenheim, it is worth searching them out.
Farewelling Shaun
After two years of meaningful work here at FuturEcology, I have made the decision to leave both the company and sunny Nelson in search of other new and exciting experiences. My partner Hayley and I pack up and leave Nelson on the 19th of December, to spend the Christmas and New Year break with friends and family in the North Island.
After this, we have a flight to Manila in the Philippines on the 8th of January, where we will start a 14-week trip around the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. We are both incredibly excited about this trip! Scuba diving, surfing and trying lots of good food are high on the priority list, along with lots of relaxing after a physical two years spent on the tools here at FuturEcology.
We return to New Zealand in April, when we will spend a month at my parent's place in New Plymouth while we plan the next step. We are both hoping to find work across the ditch in the lucky country for a year or so, and to spend the rest of 2025 and 2026 exploring that big red place.
I will be sorry to leave the many planting sites I have become connected with during my time here at FuturEcology, but I trust the rest of the team will keep up the good work in my absence. It's been a great and, at times, challenging experience working towards restoring the Taiao, and I feel as though I have grown along with all the many plants I have put in the ground during my time here. Big thanks to all the team here at FuturEcology for the good experiences we have shared together during the last two years. Keep up the good Mahi!
Shaun’s time at FuturEcology
By Rob Fryer
It is with some sadness that we see Shaun leave for his and Hayley’s adventure. I have really enjoyed having Shaun on the team, especially the way he has really dug in and taken responsibility for the success of the various projects he has worked on.
I will miss our conversations on restoration practices and how we are able to contribute to a better planet in our own way. Above all, I have really valued some interesting conversations around our shared history of Taranaki. Yes, Shaun is another product of Taranaki and I will miss this.
I know I speak for the wider team when I say Shaun will be missed, and we look forward to keeping in touch and hearing how the adventure goes.
Tool of the Month: Leaf blower
By Emma Fryer
Coming through with a different tool this month. One of my particular favourites is the humble leaf blower, as it is a huge time saver and does a great job.
Just like vacuuming the floors at home, I feel far more put together when basic things are in order (even though my desk currently looks like a tornado has been through). The work leaf blower is the real MVP when it comes to keeping the workshop tidy. We are often out visiting muddy sites, storing plants and cleaning tools, and the workshop is often an accurate and authentic reflection of a busy team getting stuck into our work.
Back when I started at FuturEcology full time, I took it upon myself to keep the floors swept. This lasted, at best, a month and I requested (or maybe demanded) a leaf blower. We bought a small battery operated one from Stihl and it has transformed how easy and quick it is to keep the workshop and vehicles looking presentable.
Pocket Restoration Aotearoa Update
By Emma Fryer
The Christmas break is a wonderful time for reflection, planning and goal setting. It’s the perfect opportunity to get out in the garden, explore your property and dream about its potential.
If you have a piece of land you’d like to transform, but aren’t sure where to begin, our fantastic online platform is here to guide you through your restoration journey! Whether you’re looking to enhance biodiversity, create a sanctuary for wildlife, or simply bring new life to your space, we’ve got the tools and support to help make your vision a reality.
EmGuard Update
By Emma Fryer
Summer seems to have arrived abruptly, bringing hot days in the high 20’s. While restoration planting might be less frequent across the country during this time, it’s the perfect season to enjoy some time in your home garden.
If you’re embracing the Christmas spirit and struggling to find a gift for the friends and family who already have everything, consider EmGuards! They’re an ideal choice—easy to transport, practical, and a thoughtful addition to any garden. EmGuards protect plants from birds, cats, and dogs, and once the plants are established, they naturally biodegrade, leaving no waste behind. A perfect gift for garden enthusiasts who value sustainability and love supporting local initiatives!
DOC List of Environmental Weeds
By Emma Fryer
The Department of Conservation has published its latest list of environmental weeds in New Zealand. Of the 30,000 exotic plant species introduced to the country, at least 2,600 have been observed growing in the wild.
The list was developed by assessing plant species to determine whether they are fully naturalised and whether they have more than minor impacts on native ecosystems. From an initial pool of 759 candidate species, 386 were identified as meeting the criteria and are included on the list.
Interesting Snippets
What we’ve been reading
By Jan Fryer
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
Mandy, from Forever Trees, recommended this book to me and wow what a read! I am only part way through, but it is such a fascinating book that I have to force myself to put it down so I can get some sleep.
It was first published in Hebrew in 2011 and is based on a series of lectures the author taught at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. It was published in English in 2014.
The book explores the history of Homo sapiens and looks back over 70,000 years, placing human history within a framework of both natural and social science, and how they have shaped humankind.
He divides the history into 4 major parts:
The Cognitive Revolution c. 70,000 BCE when imagination is thought to have evolved in Homo sapiens At this time, we were in the main a society of hunter gatherers, living very much as part of the natural world, not dominating it.
The first Agricultural Revolution c. 10,000 BCE with the development of agriculture and more permanent settlements.
The Unification of Humankind c. 34 CE with the gradual consolidation of human political and religious organisations.
The Scientific Revolution c. 1543 CE with the emergence of objective science.
Although the topic sounds very meaty and perhaps dry, he writes in a way that keeps you reading.
I am up to the Unification of Humankind, and something that has really struck me is that there is nothing new under the sun really when it comes to how humans organise themselves and the systems that emerge. His main argument is that Homo sapiens came to be able to dominate the world because of our ability to cooperate flexibly in large numbers.
Fascinating reading and I would recommend adding it to your list of holiday reading.
What we’ve been eating
Radish relish
By Emma Fryer
With an abundance of radishes in our garden, and feeling inspired by Evelyn’s pickled daikons last month, I wanted to see whether I could do something similar. After a quick google, I found a radish relish recipe that was quick and easy. Radish Relish Recipe – Salty Canary
I prepped it all in my food processor and added extra mustard seeds, and some cumin seeds as they are a bit of a favourite.
The relish is quite tangy and turned out great! I can see it being a good substitute for sauerkraut in toasties or on sausages, not to mention it looks nice and festive.
Ingredients
3 cups radishes, stemmed, scrubbed, sliced
1 red onion, quartered
2 TBSP pickled jalapeno, deseeded
1 cup apple cider vinegar and/or white wine vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
2 garlic cloves
2 tsp kosher salt
2 TBSP yellow mustard seeds
1 tsp celery seed
1/2 tsp dill weed
Instructions:
Process the stemmed, scrubbed, and sliced radishes, quartered red onion, and deseeded jalapeno in a blender or food processor until finely chopped.
Add chopped radish mixture, vinegar, sugar, garlic, salt, mustard seeds, celery seeds, and dill weed to a stockpot and bring to a boil over medium heat on the stove, stirring occasionally for 10-12 minutes.
Remove from heat and store in an airtight jar in the fridge..
Conclusion:
By Jan Fryer
We are just heading out to celebrate the year with the team. Hooray!
Celebration is an exceedingly important part of life. It is what makes a culture richer and more resilient. Traditions are often created around the dining table, and so we hope you all get to enjoy those traditional activities at this time of year that make you happy and enrich your life.
All the best for the holiday season and Happy New Year 2025.
If you have any projects in mind and would like to talk further, give us a call or pop in and see us.
We look forward to hearing from you!