As the coach headed toward Porter’s Pass President Peter welcomed visitors: Jan, Ailsa, Gary, Enjo, Dierdre and Glenys.  Before the massacre of the wilding family [Pinus Contorta and their cousin Douglas Fir] began, fifty keen eco-crusaders listened intently to master eco-warrior Ray Goldring as he explained the plan of attack.  “Leave no pine standing, don’t just chop them off at the knees (take them out at the roots) and no needles left on the stumps!”   Everybody then trooped off the bus to be marshalled into five teams and to arm themselves with the weapons of mass destruction needed: lopper, saw or axe.

Demonstration of technique

General Bruce allocated each team an area of attack and once established, the eager pine eradicators were ready to fight.  Even new driver Julie from Travlon was keen to join in.  “Let the battle commence,” he ordered.  The weather was great – clear skies, a gentle breeze and sunshine for this foray into the surrounding territory of Lyndon Flats between Lake Lyndon and the Porter River bounded by Dry Stream and the main west highway.

Teams 1 and two would start at Lake Lyndon and work the high flanks (team 1 with a particularly gnarly site to deal with); team 2 would head over to the high ground above the main battlefield.  Teams 3, 4, and 5 piled back on the bus to deploy across the flats from the base at the Porter Heights Skifield access road after collecting their weapons there.

Ian and a hidden helper at work

This mission was to be a clean-up operation to make sure no pines or firs were left standing to grow and re-seed in the future.  The system was simple: methodically zig-zag in search of pines of all sizes; their distinctive emerald green a contrast in the dun-coloured landscape.  When the enemy was spotted, it was kneel then lop, chop, or saw and move on to the next one; sometimes accompanied by a celebratory shout of triumph or a toss of the felled tree into the air.

Pinus and Douglas extermination was tough, dirty work but slowly the wayward pines were dealt with.  After a day lopping, chopping or sawing in the field, the troops of the Bishopdale Trampers Eco Army wearily wended their way back to base tired, backs aching, knees sore but happy that their mission had been accomplished.

A quick sorting of equipment for return and it was off for R & R at Springfield to toast a highly successful day of eradication.  “Well done team,” General Bruce told everyone.