SOLD: Beautiful Happyzine

New Zealand’s largest heritage seed and tree collection is under threat and we are urgently appealing for support to remove this threat. URGENT appeal- help us save New Zealand’s largest heritage organic seed and tree collection.

Pledge here.

The Preciousness of the Collection: In 1994, UN calculations conservatively estimated 90% of vegetables and 85% apples had become extinct, with on ongoing loss of 1-2% annually. (other fruit trees are likely to have suffered similar losses). In New Zealand, the precious remnant of the seed and food tree stocks of our ancestors is protected by voluntary collections and requires urgent recognition and protection.

For 30 years, The Koanga Institute a registered charitable trust has been working to save what remains of New Zealand’s heritage food plants. They have saved 800+ seed lines and 400+ fruit tree and berrie varieties. Some of these lines have international importance, particularly the corn collection which is one of the largest collections not affected by genetic engineering.  This collection has many ecological and nutritional characteristics that will be invaluable for the future of regenerative agriculture and our health  The home for this collection is in Wairoa, Northern Hawkes bay

The Threat: We take particular concern to ensure our water supply both to our staff and the seed production is not unduly affected by environmental toxins.  The integrity of our soil and water is paramount.   Our water catchment is on a property next door that we have an agreement to purchase asap.  With little warning the present owners of the property have decided to kill most of the native bush on the property with aerially  sprayed  herbicides so they can plant it in plantation forestry, as they have assumed we wont be able to purchase it.  This has really put us on the back foot. We can’t contemplate living with the effect of a contaminated water catchment and a denuded landscape.  We are aware that more and more the evidence of the ongoing negative effects of biocides continues to mount. This attacks the integrity of our whole future.    At present, unless we can negotiate a postponement, the present owners are planning on spraying on Tuesday 5th November 2013  – 3days away.

Pledge here.

The Appeal : By Tuesday 5th November we need: sufficient donations to place the deposit and assure the owner we can purchase the land.  Ideally we wish to have $250,000 or An agreement with someone  with financial ability to  enter into a Sale and Purchase Agreement, with the present owner, that also includes an ability for us to lease  the land with a right of purchase. Please consider this appeal, and consider passing it on to others who may wish to  support it.    We need your help..   this is a matter of profound national significance – please join us in this vital investment in our food future!

Action: Please donate to our online programme as part of a crowd fundraising initiative or pay into our bank account 12 3094 0158442 51 or  contact  us and let us know how you can help us buy the land [email protected]

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of Koanga Institute

Arohanui

The Koanga Team : Kay, Bob, Peter, Michael, Emma, Brad, Rachel, Taiamai, Franzi, Tes, Shaked, Tamsin, Gail, and Rachel and all our members

Tags: seeds