JARED NICOLL

Springlands School student Katie Bruce, 11, plants a native tree with her schoolmates at the entrance to the Mistletoe Bay campsite.

The sight of children planting native trees captured the essence of what the Mistletoe Bay eco village is all about, says trust patron Sir Stephen Tindall.

The Mistletoe Bay Trust celebrated the completion of its stage-two developments, which include a kitchen, office and $160,000 meeting room, with a formal ceremony at the campsite at the head of Onahau Bay in Queen Charlotte Sound on Friday.

About 7000 people a year use the $4 million multi-purpose camp, including schools in Marlborough, which get subsidised accommodation rates to use the area for outdoor education and lessons in sustainable living.

Speaking to a crowd of stakeholders and schoolchildren, Sir Stephen emphasised the importance of teaching children about sustainable living because they would decide the fate of New Zealand.

"In a world that's full of conflict, we struggle to grasp the real meaning of the future.

"We come to a place of tranquillity like this and we realise there's a future for all of us.

"May we see our children take this example forward for the benefit of New Zealand," he said.

"We look to you to help us," he told the children. "I hope this is going to create an example for you and your children."

Read the original here:

Eco village's tranquillity 'brings hope'