New Trees in the Contemplative Research Aotearoa, New Zealand

Bengu Fetzer is our regional coordinator in New Zealand. Recently, she told us about a tree-planting activity she helped organize in mid-June this year.

As many as 13,390 trees were planted! Great job!!

Bengu tells us “This year, we continued our program of reforestation and riparian planting where we have planted 11,200 native trees and 2,190 exotic trees, covering an area of 15.8 acres (6.4 hectares). The work of planting, putting in place weed mats, fertilizer, and plant guards was carried out by a team of 5 planting contractors, 10 backpackers, and 22 volunteers, amongst which there were 11 different nationalities.”

The grounds where the trees were planted are part of the Contemplative Research Aotearoa (CCRA). The CCRA is “part of a global network of groundbreaking research observatories that provide the ideal environments for dedicated contemplatives to explore the nature and potentials of consciousness firsthand, while fully engaging with scientists to develop rigorous measures for novel research into the nature of the mind.”

CCRA has taken responsibility for the land it occupies, by working to restore degraded areas, planting trees, and protecting waterways, among other activities.

The many trees planted in June 2023 were “Dedicated to the good health and long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. And may we quickly achieve the aim of the Centre for Contemplative Research Aotearoa, to establish a retreat center for dedicated contemplatives to explore the nature and potentials of consciousness”, Bengu shares.

If you wish to learn more about CCRA, you can visit their website here.

Thank you for dedicating these trees and for the work you are doing.