Clyde-based Haehaeata Natural Heritage Trust has a five-year memorandum of understanding with the Central Otago District Council to plant out the reserve and will start with the area above the state highway.
Council parks and recreation manager Gordon Bailey said a public planting bee would be held from 1-4pm.
"We’re looking forward to seeing the transformation of this reserve over the next few years and commend the trust for taking on this challenge to create another unique space for the community."
Haehaeata Trust’s project co-ordinator Rach Baxter said the goal of putting in 5000 tussocks was the group’s most ambitious and biggest project since it formed in 2017.
"There has been a lot of work happening in the background with this project and we are very excited to announce that the first of our public planting days.
"The slash has been tidied away, the ground prepared and now we have our fingers crossed for a bit more rain.
"This is a big project and we’re in for the long haul, so we need as many people involved as possible.
"There’s a variety of ways people can be actively involved even if their backs aren’t up to digging holes, to help with the transformation of this beautiful site, to really enhance its natural features,and create an outstanding entrance to Alexandra, and boost our native biodiversity at the same time."
On Sunday the trust would be establishing three local species: Poa cita — silver tussock, Poa colensoi — blue tussock and Festuca novae-zelandiae — hard tussock.
The next five stages would focus on re-establishing local native shrub and tree species, a lot of which were at risk or threatened.
Half Mile reserve was the focus of passionate debate when the council decided to remove pine trees from the site to comply with its own wilding pine policy.
