Environment Waikato is to provide $10,000 to purchase more land to add to Barrett Bush near Temple View.

The Friends of Barrett Bush applied for the grant to purchase more than half a hectare of flat dairy pasture next to the reserve, and plant it with ecologically appropriate plants. The scenic reserve, managed by the Department of Conservation, contains three hectares of lowland kahikatea, pukutea and pokaka.

The additional land will provide better protection for interior forest species. The bush is used by Fraser High School to teach planted forest ecology, native plant propagation and native forest restoration. Students will be involved in replanting the extension over the next six to eight years.