Up to 10 young people on the Ministry of Youth development programme, formerly the Conservation Corps, are undertaking clearing and fencing, and then planting up to 500 native plants, flaxes and shrubs along the bank on the point.
The project, being run in conjunction with the Waitaki District Council, is one of many undertaken in North Otago over the past five years for the council and Department of Conservation.
The project is conducted by the Salvation Army Employment Trust. Senior tutor Grant Deed said on Thursday the area first had been cleared of gorse, boxthorn and weeds before being fenced and then planted out.
All of Kakanui Point and two small areas towards Campbells Bay would be planted out, he said.
On Thursday, about 100 plants and shrubs were planted. The council's parks officer, Jane Matchett, said the programme made a big difference to the area, as well as to many young people.
They learnt from the experience and developed skills in fitness, social ability, work ethics, health and geography.
Projects that provided an opportunity for students to learn new skills and have an involvement in the community were selected jointly with the council and Doc, Ms Matchett said.
The students were involved in developing and tending several areas in the district.
Their tasks included clearing vegetation, planting, track development, fencing and painting, she said.
Areas for the students' projects had included Bushy Park and the Moeraki Walkway in the Waihemo, Kakanui Esplanade and Walkway, Cape Wanbrow and Bushy beach reserves, the Waitaki Boys' High School track, Otematata wetlands and Ohau.
Many of the areas would not have been developed without the programme's input, Ms Matchett said.
