Coronation Forest celebrates 70 years of engaging local children

For 70 years, the Coronation Forest schools programme has provided local school children a behind-the-scenes glimpse at a working production forest in the Golden Downs forests.

The programme was initiated by Nelson man Arnold Cork who had an idea that would leave a legacy for generations. To mark Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne, Cork suggested planting trees in an area of Golden Downs State Forest and renaming it Coronation Forest.

Cork set out to create a forest to engage school children in their environment and the local forestry industry, and 70 years later his idea is still flourishing.

Shaun Truelock, OneFortyOne New Zealand Forests’ General Manager explains how Coronation Forest has become a piece of living history for the Nelson Tasman region.

“More than 40,000 local school children have planted seedlings in Coronation Forest over its 70-year history,” said Shaun.

“As New Zealand becomes increasingly urbanised, the programme has given young people access to a unique outdoor experience and the opportunity to increase knowledge about local industries, fostering a connection with the land.

“Every year, hundreds of school children from local schools participate in tree planting and plantation forestry activities such as tree measuring, guessing the age of pines, and learning more about the local ecosystem, said Shaun.

Tasman Mayor Tim King attended the anniversary celebrations on Friday and reflected on his own experience at Coronation Forest when he attended as a pupil at Brightwater Primary School.

Mayor Tim King congratulated OneFortyOne and Ngāti Toa for the continued support of this longstanding initiative which will continue to provide enduring connections to the forest industry for the many thousands of kids who have attended Coronation Forest planting days over the years.

“Continuing this strong connection with the community is crucial to one of Tasman District’s most important industries,” Mayor King said.

Te Uru Rakau, Forest Engagement & Advice Director, Alex Wilson has said: Ministry for Primary Industries, Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service, and predecessors have supported the education program, yearly events and planting days over the lifetime of the Coronation Forest.

“Regionally – it is hard not to speak to someone who has been involved in the events to some capacity, through school, recreationally or professionally,” said Alex.

“Te Uru Rakau see the importance of connecting people with forests and wood they produce as well as learning the history of Nelson’s forests.  

Over the years, the forest has passed between different companies, with OneFortyOne New Zealand Forests now managing the area and supporting the forestry education programme, leasing the land from Ngāti Toa. The project is one of the longest-running privately-funded educational programmes in New Zealand, and many of those who planted trees in the 1950s have since returned with their children and grandchildren.

Lee Wiren, a resident of Wakefield, has a family connection with Coronation Forest. His grandfather worked carting logs out of the forest from the 1970s to the 1990s, and he works in the industry today as a log truck driver.

Lee’s dad and aunts each planted trees at Coronation Forest in the 1960s, while he attended Coronation Forest when at Enner Glynn Primary School in 1998. His daughter, a pupil at Wakefield Primary School, has planted seeds for the past two years, becoming the third generation to enjoy the area.

His visit as a child in the 1990s remains an enduring memory.

“I’d never been up there before, but knew it was an area where my dad and uncles worked,” he says. “I was stunned when I got there; the view over Nelson was simply awesome, it was remarkable. I still remember that day, playing among the trees and getting involved with planting. I remember feeling so proud of myself for planting a tree, it was such a great feeling,” he adds.

Lee still remembers the sense of pride in being involved in the programme.

“Over the years, whenever we drove past the forest, I’d always remind mum and dad that I had planted some trees there.”

In his work, Lee believes he has “probably carted some of the same trees me and my class planted in the 1990s”. The experience kick-started a lifelong love of the forestry industry.

“That’s what really sparked my interest,” he adds. “Visiting and having that exposure to the outdoors got me interested, and I went to work in sawmills in the area. But it’s driving logging trucks that I really love now.” Ngāti Toa and OneFortyOne continue their strong support for the programme, working to educate the next generation of children about the forest. After more than 70 years, Cork’s idea is well-placed for the next big milestone as one of New Zealand’s leading forestry educational initiatives.