Three hundred and twenty people are now involved, nearly half of them students. Department of Conservation recreation and historic ranger Shay van der Hurk said the areas the trail crew — established last year — was focusing on were Highcliff on the Otago Peninsula, and Grahams Bush, below the Organ Pipes walk. They worked on Dunedin City Council walks, as well as Doc tracks. The crew was working on improving the tracks through natural trail building, for instance with the basalt rocks in the Grahams Bush area, which could be used for markers, steps, and retaining walls.
"It’s about people being in open spaces and how that’s good for the community," he said .
"We thought winter was going to be quiet, but it’s the opposite of quiet. We’re keen to hear from people if they would like to [get involved]."
Doc and DCC volunteer project facilitator Catherine Hosted said about 149 university and other students were already involved in the crew, and they enjoyed getting out and seeing areas other than North Dunedin. For some, it was a valuable chance to get some work experience.
"We try to get rid of the barriers for students. Transport is a big thing for students, and time. For most of them it’s a new skill for them, and it seems to be about socialising rather than getting a job.
"They are able to get out and enjoy the walking."
The crew held five or six working bees a month, and one of the major reasons people joined was to have the chance to socialise, he said.
"People get along really well," Mr van der Hurk said.
Not only tertiary students but high school pupils also got involved in some of the work, he said.
