History Book

Remnant, a social and ecological history of Staveley Camp Forest

A review by Elles Smallegoor

The people of Staveley Camp have recently launched their book ‘Remnant: Staveley Camp Forest – A Social and Ecological History’, which is a story of remarkable survival of both the camp and the adjoining native bush, originally called Sawmill Road Bush, but nowadays better known as Staveley Camp Forest. The book began as an ECan-funded oral history project by Belinda Meares, who interviewed a number of individuals who were pivotal to the establishment and continuation of the camp, the conservation of the forest and the growing community awareness of the environmental, historical and cultural significance of the place. The interviewees are Olive Philpott (née Hobson), Alan Totty, Gilbert Donaldson, Warren Jowett, Arapata Reuben, Allan Tait, Barry Marett, Gen de Spa and Alice Shanks. They are each given their own chapter, which contains large sections of spoken word, indicated in italics. Interspersed throughout the chapters are differently coloured educational pages which provide information about native and invasive flora and fauna that can be found at Staveley Camp. The book is a collaborative project, with photographs and artistic illustrations of birds and plants provided by locals.

            The camp was established in Staveley in 1959 after the Mid Canterbury Presbyterian Bible Class realised their annual Easter camps grew too much in size and were beset by challenges for not having a permanent site. Olive Philpott emphasises that the youth at these camps were the ones that came up with the idea of finding a place that they could call their own: “it wasn’t the adults, it was the kids who started” (p. 10). In these first decades, the emphasis was mostly on fundraising, big boulder and nasty weed removal, fencing and construction. The natural environment was appreciated, but mostly for practical reasons. It was not until Christchurch botanist Dr Colin Burrows wrote a piece about the remnant vegetation in the Canterbury Botanical Society journal in the late 1990s that awareness of the significance of the forest grew. As Gilbert Donaldson indicates, “suddenly everyone was excited about having a piece of native bush” (p. 50). The passion for the place that already existed in the community grew and eventually the forest was given legal protection with a Queen Elizabeth II National Trust covenant.

            Both the camp and the bush have faced multiple challenges. The weather has proven to be erosive and destructive. Human intervention (saw-milling, farming, introduction of invasive species, decisions to sell) or a lack of interest and awareness nearly caused their disappearance. Weeds and pests have been relentless and are an ongoing threat to the vulnerable and relatively small piece of native forest. The financial costs of sustaining the place are impressive. And yet both the climate and human behaviour, some divinely inspired, have also determined their survival. The camp and the bush are alive and show positive change. The buildings have become more future proof with earthquake strengthening and welcome new groups of people. The forest is showing signs of recovery. Native seedlings are starting to pop up out of the ground, and new species are discovered. Pest control is working; the native bird population is growing and does its bit. As Gen de Spa explains: “We really don’t need to do much planting inside the forest because the birds do the planting for us” (p. 116). A little help goes a long way.

            ‘Remnant’ is an educational act of remembrance and celebration of those who have contributed their time, knowledge, effort, visions and money into the camp and the bush. It shows the profound impact of – and need for – individuals actively working together to protect something they care deeply about. Everyone involved in this project shows a can-do attitude, a generosity of spirit to future generations and a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances. A bright spark of hope in these somewhat unsettling times.