A new course is being offered in Spring to Aucklanders who are interested in understanding about the value of trees in the urban environment. The issue is increasingly important in these times of relentless development pressure on urban land.

Eight sessions will be divided into classroom work and field trips. Sessions include tree identification, structure and function, environmental value of trees, heritage trees, tree adaptation and selection, health, disease and pruning, and tree planting and maintenance. Certificates will be presented on completion of 2 assignments – one being a portfolio of 10 trees of Auckland, and the other being a presentation on one great Auckland tree.

The course costs $80, and is led by a range of experienced professionals, either academic lecturers, or practitioners in their field. For those not wanting to do the whole course, individual sessions will be able to be booked at $15 a session. The eight sessions will take place on a Wednesday evening (6pm – 9pm) and Saturday (9am – 4pm), every other week over an 8 week period.

The course will run at the Sustainable Living Centre, EcoMatters Environment Trust, 4 Olympic Place, New Lynn, starting Wednesday 16^th September 2009.

This is an exciting and well resourced course. The Tree Council hopes that its format and cost will make it very accessible and popular. For further information, please contact Daphne Mitten, 09 372 9272 or 0274 084 116 or daphnemitten@slingshot.co.nz.

PO Box 78088, Grey Lynn, Auckland

Ph: 09 828 3727