The Frankton boy has helped plant beech trees on Pig Island and at the Glenorchy end of Lake Wakatipu, and is a repeat volunteer in efforts to plant kowhai trees at the Lakes Hayes Reserve for the Department of Conservation initiative, Project Gold.
Ricky was among about 10 volunteers planting a mixture of kowhai and other shrubs along the Lake Hayes track yesterday morning under both spring sunshine and freshly snow-capped mountains.
Drew Webster said his son "quite enjoys" being involved and Ricky asked for no help in putting tricky protective netting around a newly planted kowhai.
The project aims to bring back kowhai woodlands throughout Otago on public and private land.
Queenstown tourism operator Kiwi Discovery is sponsoring the project, Doc facilitating planting days in autumn and spring.
