Projects we’ve funded

$4,232 towards native plants and netting for Mokihi Trust volunteers to carry out native planting adjacent to the carpark at 45^th Parallel carpark about 10km north of Cromwell. The area is popular with locals and tourists and the planting will expand the biodiversity and attract insect and bird life. Find out more about the trust here: www.facebook.com/MokihiTrust

May 2019 funding round

$4,750 of funding for this project which, involves holding a trial Bioblitz at Makarora with a small group of children from Makarora School. Following this trial, a Wanaka Bioblitz will be scheduled for March/April 2020, co-ordinated with the support of Enviroschools and open to the whole community.

October 2019 funding round

$8,663.39 - This project aims to reforest this area with native grasses, shrubs and trees from the Cromwell basin and surrounding areas. It includes an insect and lichen sanctuary.

March 2020 funding round

$1,045.50 - Bayfield Kindergarten will create a habitat to support a beehive and to encourage biodiversity within our local area. Our tamariki and their whanau will learn hands-on about the value of biodiversity and how they can also encourage biodiversity at home.  Funding is for plants, timber and apiary suits.

March 2020 funding round

$4,998 - CHiRP is a concerted community effort to improve the health of the forest along the Chain Hills, providing a habitat for birds and other native wildlife to flourish. We now have an extensive mustelid trap network in place across the Chain Hills. We seek funds to operate this trap network, and bring the community together to kick start the next step - a possum control strategy.

March 2021 funding round

$12,000 - This project aims to improve biodiversity and habitat for native birds and invertebrates by creating a riparian corridor alongside the walkway, using a variety of locally sourced native plant species; to provide hands-on educational, opportunities to local schools; and to engage with the local Moeraki runaka on ways to improve the cultural health of this section of the river, for example by planting flax and allowing mahinga kai.

March 2020 funding round

$2,309 towards native plants, plant protectors, potting mix and hand tools for students of Tokomairiro High School to replant the banks of Salmonds Creek running through their school. The students will clear the banks of rubbish and weeds and different year groups will use the creek for environmental learnings such as water quality, surveying wildlife and establishing new plants from seeds, cuttings and transplanting. Find out more about the Tokomairiro High School here: www.tokohigh.school.nz

May 2019 funding round

$18,000 - The project is to build a community native nursery in Glenorchy township so we can grow ecosourced native plants for restoration of indigenous landscapes at the head of Lake Whakatipu.  The proposed nursery will allow for up to 10,000 seeds a year to be germinated in the greenhouse then pricked out, potted up, potted on and hardened off before planting.             

March 2021 funding round

$5,055.40 to fund a survey of Grand and Otago skinks in order to monitor the population and establish a trapping programme to protect these endangered populations.

October 2019 funding round

$4,860 - To re-establish locally extinct green skinks in Central Otago. The funds will be used to acquire and translocate a founder population of skinks into an established predator-proof sanctuary, and to maintain mouse numbers at zero density.

March 2021 funding round

$15,000 - The Halo Forest Restoration Project is restoring the expanding native forest habitat across both public and private land within the landscape north of Dunedin.

March 2020 funding round

$10,500 - Young and old(er!) help protect and restore the ecological values of a special island in Otago Harbour. ‘Hands on’ learning about the environment, in the context of an island – restoring different habitats to supp-ort biodiversity, controlling pests (weeds and predators), and caring for our coastline. This will be made possible by partial funding for salary from ORC’s ECO Fund.

March 2020 funding round

$9,884.54 of funds this project which, is focused on building an advocacy and breeding enclosure for Jewelled Gecko within the predator free environment of Ōrokokonui Ecosanctuary. The enclosure will provide a contained, but largely natural, environment where the general public can observe this rare species, providing an important educational and advocacy opportunity supporting public engagement, which is critical in the long-term conservation of this taonga species.

October 2019 funding round

$2,440 - We are hoping to continue our revegtation work at Kaikorai Estuary.  This stage involves further planting, weed removal, and track enhancements.

March 2021 funding round

$5,323.70 to continue with the Bannockburn Project which started with the reforestation of “waste land” in 2020. With over 600 grasses, shrubs and trees in ground and growing well, the Trust will extend into Area 2. This would enable them to plant the beginnings of an insect and lichen sanctuary specifically protecting dryland species.

October 2020 funding round

$15,656 to enable the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre to introduce Marine Metre Squared tools for schools and the wider community along coastal Otago to monitor change on their local coast over time and train schools and community groups in the use of these monitoring tools through workshops and field days. Click here to see the NZ Marine Studies Centre’s website for more information. 

January 2019 funding round

$9,003 towards the costs of the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre to participate in a mini BioBlitz in April 2019. This will go across two days and engage school children as well as the general public to identify as many species as possible in a singular location. This will contribute to baseline data to enhance our understanding of the biodiversity, abundance and distribution of marine species along the Otago coastline. Click here to see the NZ Marine Studies Centre’s website for more information. 

September 2018 funding round

$20,000 - We have a vision to enhance the habitat corridor linking Orokonui Ecosanctuary and wider Dunedin for indigenous wildlife through the North East Valley.  We are building upon our current work streams that encourage residents and visitors to take indigenous wildlife-friendly actions in their backyards and community spaces as part of the Open Valley Urban Ecosanctuary project and "Backyard Ecosanctuaries" programme.  We are seeking funding to support the coordination of this ongoing, successful project.

March 2021 funding round

$1,000 to build a geodesic dome shade house in order to grow native plants for distribution free of charge to the local community.

October 2020 funding round

$7,800 in October 2019 and $15,600 in October 2020 towards Haehaeata Natural Heritage Trust’s native planting projects that use local eco sourced plants to continue to enhance threatened and vulnerable dryland ecosystems and develop the native biodiversity of our area. Community participation is raising awareness of these ecosystems and their vulnerable status. Funds will be used to continue to pay for the position of a project co-ordinator who will engage volunteers, community groups and school groups to be involved in restoration projects.

October 2019 and 2020 funding rounds

$26,000 towards this project which seeks to construct new areas of saline substrate on private land in Central Otago, to control weeds and expand habitat area for dwindling inland populations of indigenous, salt-tolerant plant species. These small, specialised plants include species listed as rare and endangered by the Department of Conservation. They represent a very special part of Otago’s heritage and biodiversity.

October 2020 funding round

$15,000 to improve on the work currently done by Te Kākano nursery staff, allowing them to run more nursery, plant watering and maintenance sessions, develop more resources for schools and respond more effectively to the increasing number interest the nursery is gaining. Click here to see their website for more information. 

January 2019 funding round

$10,000 - The project is to consolidate the work Te Kākano has done over the last 12 years, and to continue to increase the involvement of the community in local habitat restoration, to grow and plant eco-sourced native plants in the Upper Clutha Basin and to shift our plans into, and streamline operations within the newly expanded nursery space and to advance stage 2 of the expansion (building facilities).

March 2020 funding round

$4,995 towards Arrowtown Choppers (volunteer group dedicated to the eradication of the wilding pines in Arrowtown) have received funding for 4000 native eco-sourced trees from the ‘Trees that Count’ fund to be planted on Tobin’s Face and Sawpit Gully (within areas where wilding pines have been cleared). To plant these trees in 2021 the Arrowtown Choppers will use funding to purchase 4000 plant guards, stakes and fertiliser tablets. This will protect the trees from grazing and the elements in the first 2-3 years which will ensure a high survival rate.

October 2020 funding round

$12,769.25 towards the cost of plants for community planting days around Tomahawk Lagoon and Ocean Grove Reserve. This will support current work by Otago Regional Council and other community groups to understand and improve the lagoons’ water quality. Click here to see the Tomahawk Smaills BeachCare Trust’s Facebook page for more information. 

September 2018 funding round

$4,428 - This publicly accessible site alongside the Alps 2 Ocean cycleway will provide a platform from which to educate the general public and local community groups on the importance of protecting our environment.  The project will also allow local Enviroschool, Weston School, to work towards its Guiding Principle of ‘leaning for sustainability’.

March 2020 funding round

$2,500 towards the cost of running the Wild Dunedin Podcast. The Wild Dunedin podcast helps engage and unite a largely urban population with conservation issues, helping them envisage a sustainable future for our region, in which they can play their part. Click here to have a listen to the podcast. 

January 2019 funding round

$18,631 towards the costs of hiring an Executive Officer and an Education Officer to assist with delivering the Wakatipu Reforestation Trust’s strategic plan and their ability to adapt and grow into the future. The trust produces approximately 10,000 eco-sourced native plants per year to be planted and maintained, in the Wakatipu basin, on public land. They also focus on education and advocacy for positive biodiversity outcomes. Find out more here: https://wrtqt.org.nz/educate-for-nature/www.wrtqt.org.nz

May 2019 funding round

$28,075 to protect and restore the native biodiversity of the Wakatipu Basin through revegetation projects, collaboration, education and advocacy. Since 2015, the Wakatipu Reforestation Trust has developed a proven track record in leading the restoration of native biodiversity in the Wakatipu Basin through community / volunteer led activity and delivery of education programs. Find out more here: https://wrtqt.org.nz/educate-for-nature/www.wrtqt.org.nz

October 2020 funding round

If you're interested in partnering with Educate for Nature click here to see their sponsorship brochure.

$5,568 towards traps, cameras and administration hours to monitor live traps on the Sandymount Reserve on the Otago Peninsula. This project aims to enhance remnant breeding colonies of threatened seabird species that are still present within the region and if feasible enable reintroduction of other species that bred on the coast at the time of human arrival. Find out more here: www.forestandbird.org.nz/projects/bring-back-seabirds-otago

May 2019 funding round

$3,000 to increase and improve the trap line in the East Matukituki Valley. The trap line is set up and maintained by the Otago Kiwi Recovery Trust and their volunteers to increase birdlife and biodiversity and with the hopes to eventually work with the Department of Conservation to release kiwi back into their native bush. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, contact Leslie at otagokiwirecovery@gmail.com

September 2018 funding round

$1,363 towards herbicide for the Lakes Waihola Waipori Wetlands Society to control exotic weed species on Lakes Waipori and Waihola and the surrounding wetlands. The group will mainly target crack willow but also areas of alders and grey willow. These plants degrade and dominate the environment harming or displacing native plant, fish and bird species. Find out more about the society here: https://spiralis123.wordpress.com/about

May 2019 funding round

$4,980 - The traps purchased with this funding will help us to intensify the trapping effort at two of our reserves, Long Point / Irahuka in the Catlins and at Otapahi (Otago Peninsula) as well as upgrading old fenn trapping technology. Reducing the risk of predation from mustelids and feral cats is vital to ensure the survival of endangered yellow-eyed penguins / hoiho whose numbers have declined significantly to only 168 breeding pairs on the South Island mainland.

March 2020 funding round

$13,000 towards the cost to control invasive weeds (e.g. grey willow, crack willow, glyceria) which will assist with habitat restoration in Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau/Sinclair Wetlands. The Wetlands has a high degree of naturalness, a diversity of indigenous flora and fauna, and provides habitat for threatened and wetland-dependant species (mātātā/fernbird, koitareke/marsh crake, matuku-hūrepo/bittern, pūweto/spotless crake). Invasive incursions of grey and crack willows and glyceria affect biodiversity by competing with native species and disrupting the natural water movement within the wetlands. Click here to see Sinclair Wetlands website for more information. 

January 2019 funding round

$6,100 towards surveying, monitoring, community engagement and materials for the threatened species project. The Makarora catchment threatened species project aims to protect, restore, and enhance indigenous biodiversity whilst connecting people with nature. It is based on a number of threatened species inside specific habitats within the Makatota catchment. Find out more here: http://aspiringbiodiversity.co.nz/

May 2019 funding round

$3,000 - ABT threatened species programmes are divided into four focal habitats from ridge to river and the species they support; braided river for wrybill, black-fronted tern, banded dotterel, black-billed gull, beech/podocarp forest for kaka and long-tailed bat, upper river catchments for whio and the alpine environment for rock wren and kea. 

March 2020 funding round

$1,917.20 - The aim of the project is to restore the indigenous eco-system of this conservation reserve by reducing plant and animal pests and bringing back endemic species.

March 2020 funding round

$3,730 towards the operation of a satellite-monitored trapping system targeting feral cats and other large predators to protect endangered river birds on Makarora Braided River.

October 2019 funding round

$20,000 to fund a programme that sees one in five households in the Lindsay Creek catchment meeting standards to be designated a ‘backyard ecosanctuary’ – creating a habitat corridor for native species dispersing from Orokonui Ecosanctuary into Dunedin.

October 2019 funding round

$4,996 to purchase traps to start up a trap library for the Mt Barker community. There is huge community support to protect the native bird life in the Mt Barker area. The Mt Barker Residents Association has a membership of nearly 100 households who will use these traps along with the wider community to protect biodiversity. Click here to see their Facebook page for more information. 

September 2018 funding round

$4,800 to purchase traps for Wanaka Backyard Trapping to place on private and Department of Conservation land in Wanaka. The aspirations of Wanaka Backyard Trapping are to increase the populations of native wildlife by decreasing populations of their predators to engage and strengthen the community through trapping of predators to raise the profile of New Zealand's unique flora and fauna (biodiversity) to educate the local and visitor community on protecting NZ's biodiversity. Click here to see their Facebook page for more information. 

September 2018 funding round

$19,000 for “Neighbours” a web-based game, created for Orokanui Ecosanctuary to educate local communities around safe engagement with their kaka flock. 

October 2020 funding round

$1,601.50 of funds to supply equipment and herbicide for the Barberry Busters sub-group of the Papatowai and District Community Association. In the short term they will eradicate barberry from the Papatowai township. In the longer term, they will move outwards to control barberry in the surrounding districts.

October 2019 funding round

$1,500 towards a community trapping group using funding for more bait and traps.

October 2020 funding round

$4,993 towards traps, lures and bait for the Queenstown Climbing Club to expand their existing trap network in Wye Creek. The club initially worked with the Department of Conservation in 2013 to put in a single trap line and have expanded considerably thanks to the help of volunteers and donations. Find out more here: www.queenstownclimbing.com/conservation

May 2019 funding round

$6,000 towards a project coordinator for the Hereweka Harbour Cone property on Otago Peninsula coordinating the various working bees, ordering seedlings and planting materials, organising pest plant contractors and coordinating fundraising initiatives.

October 2019 funding round

$1,592.75 to purchase supplies for traps to add to the existing trap line at the Project Kereru aviary in Dunedin. Project Kereru is a voluntary community based conservation/rehabilitation project which is located next to the local landfill making pest management essential. Click here to see their Facebook page for more information. 

September 2018 funding round

$4,950 towards the development and testing of a satellite monitored network of live predator traps throughout the Matukituki and Dart/Rees rivers to protect threatened and endangered species such as the black stilt, wrybill, black-billed gull and black-fronted tern. The project will be fronted by Forest & Bird but maintained and operated by contractors and volunteers and the traps have the potential to be used by other community groups. Find out more on the Forest & Bird Central Lakes branch’s work here: www.forestandbird.org.nz/branches/central-otago-lakes

May 2019 funding round

$7,379 towards control of a large infestation of the invasive weed banana passionfruit on the Otago Peninsula. This work will prevent seeding of banana passion fruit into 2 native forest covenants, 2 privately owned revegetation projects and an extensive area of nearby native planting. Click here for more information on Save The Otago Peninsula. 

January 2019 funding round

$26,601.30 of funds for Wakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group Inc who will protect the mature native Beech Forest seed source in the Skippers/Londonderry Creek area by hand spraying the carpet of seedling wilding pines under the native Beech Forest canopy so that they are unable to encroach any further into the existing Beech Forest.

October 2019 funding round

$1,770 to restore Weston School’s Skink Friendly Garden. The garden was built in 2013 to protect their local Southern Grass skinks and McCann’s skinks. However, they have had some trouble with predators so a new fence is needed along with more native plantings and rock piles for the skinks habitat. The school will also install traps around the garden with chew cards so the students can learn where the predators are coming from.

January 2019 funding round

$10,080 towards the coordination of community groups undertaking predator control in the Wakatipu Basin in order to achieve gap-free predator control coverage. By starting with activating communities, Whakatipu Wildlife Trust will build the foundation for connecting up trap lines to create predator barriers and reduce re-invasion. It will also create a large volunteer base to power future phases of this project. Click here to see their Facebook page for more information. 

September 2018 funding round

$5,000 - What can earthworms and undies tell us about our soil health, and what is the role of earthworms and dung beetles for soil functioning?  Funds will be used to provide a cohort of dung beetles, boxes and traps for schools and specific participating farms in East and North Otago.  This will support a larger OPSP proposal with the aim to make field observations of biological indicators in rural East and North Otago to understand more about our soil health.

March 2020 funding round

$20,000 - Soil Your Undies Otago is in its second year and would like to extend the highly successful programme to other schools in the local community. The funds requested are to help support the costs for the Project Coordinator/Educator to directly engage with the schools and community.             

March 2021 funding round

$11,839.85 - Delivered by multi-award-winning singer/songwriter Anna van Riel, the focus of this project is to provide fun, interactive and educational musical performances to 52 schools and approximately 6,033 pupils and teachers in the Otago region.  The shows will provide audiences with easy-to-use tools that support positive environmental change around water and wildlife conservation, as well as offering an insight into how we view our waste on the planet, and how we can each take responsibility and be the change.

March 2020 funding round

$3,003.48 of funding to purchase a drone for the purposes of capturing aerial images and videos illustrating environmental projects that are currently being undertaken in Otago. The drone will help illustrate the scope of some of the projects being undertaken in the region, and to inspire others to undertake similar initiatives which will ultimately benefit the environment.

October 2019 funding round

$29,000 of funding for this project to support farmer leaders and catchment groups to make changes on-farm in order to improve water quality and associated biodiversity throughout the Clutha District.

Split across September 2018, January and May 2019 funding rounds

$22,296 towards water monitoring equipment to be used at Matīnaka/Hawksbury Lagoon to establish baseline data to inform a management plan for the lagoon. The project aims to protect the land, ensure all fisheries resources from the area are fit for human consumption, and to ensure access and usage of the land while avoiding and mitigating adverse human impact. Find out more here: www.hawksburylagoon.org.nz/info/Home.aspx

May 2019 funding round

$1,590 of funding for Our Seas Our Future to purchase of additional reusable 60L sacks and litter pick-up tools to enable community ongoing clean-up up events, with community groups and organisations, and the general public.

October 2020 funding round

$27,200 in September 2018 and $16,839.84 in March 2020 to support the development of information and resources about Tomahawk Lagoon’s water quality. In conjunction with community groups, schools in the area and relevant organisations such as the Otago Regional Council, ECOTAGO hopes to continue the investigation to the lagoon’s ecosystem, producing an updated environmental report card and a plan of catchment plan of improvement. Citizen science will play an integral role in investigation and education around the lagoon.

September 2018 and March 2020 funding rounds

$5,225 to undertake survey work at Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau/ Sinclair Wetlands to determine baseline hydrological information. This will assist with restoration management. Otago Regional Council’s Hydro Team will also be assisting with the installation of the water level sensors at the wetlands. Click here to see Sinclair Wetlands website for more information. 

September 2018 funding round

$20,000 - "We will quantify the transport of sediment, phosphate, nitrate, and bacteria to the upper Tomahawk lagoon (UTL), during both basal stream flow and during flood events in the Creek entering the UTL. We will establish a riparian planting in the upper lagoon catchment to mitigate sediment, nutrient, and bacterial inputs to the UTL, and continue to monitor the water quality of Tomahawk Lagoon (TL) and it’s catchments."

March 2021 funding round

$21,659 towards the Ōtokia Creek Marsh Restoration which project aims to restore and protect the native habitat on the Lower Ōtokia Creek Marsh for the use and wellbeing of the Brighton community. Their goal is to foster long term engagement with the local school and community and to provide public access to the marsh catchment for walking, nature viewing and education.

October 2020 funding round

$27,360 - Coordinator position at Te Nohoaka O Tukiauau for wetlands protection, enhancement and promotion in Otago.

March 2020 funding round

$2,500 towards making sediment fences available to farmers in the Waiwera and Kaihiku catchment group to use next to cultivated land to reduce sediment runoff in high rainfall events. Their goal is to reduce sediment and therefore phosphorus getting into the Waiwera and Kaihiku streams. Ultimately improving the quality of the Waiwera and Kaihiku streams.

January 2019 funding round

$2,517 for native plants and equipment for the Waiwera Kaihiku Farmer Led Watercare Group and the Waiwera South School to plant as a riparian strip on the Waiwera Stream. This is a starting point for the community where to school kids can propagate and plant their own trees and take cuttings and collect seed in future. The equipment will also be available for farmers in the community for larger planting days.

May 2019 funding round

$12,500 towards the costs of a project leader for the Wanaka Water Project. The Wanaka Water Project undertakes strategic riparian planting, research on the effects of urban stormwater in partnership with the University of Otago and the development of a community-led integrated catchment management plan. Click here to see their website for more information. 

January 2019 funding round

$704 towards the purchase of a SCHMAK kit for Queenstown Primary School. The kit is a meaningful resource that will be used as a hands-on way of teaching kids about water quality and build up data over time. Find out more about Queenstown Primary School here: www.queenstown.school.nz  

May 2019 funding round

$3,361 to purchase an instrument (HACH DR 900 colorimeter) to test nitrogen, phosphorus and ammonia in water. The instrument will add to the NZ Landcare Trust's water quality sampling kit, and will be used by catchment groups, individual farmers, school groups and staff from other organisations to help determine and explain water quality and stream health. Click here to see more their website for more information. 

January 2019 funding round

$13,847 - The project aims to develop and deliver a community-based pilot education program aimed at children in Years 5-8. The education pilot will focus on exploring connections between our environment and rural land use, particularly water quality, water use, biodiversity, biosecurity, climate change and urban/rural collaboration.               

March 2021 funding round

$3,870 - The Outside Inside Forest will bring together nature, environment and sustainability-focused organisations from around Otago to showcase our local environment in an educational and fun way. Situated in the easily-accessible Meridian Mall, the Forest will provide hands-on learning opportunities for families that will both promote our incredible local environment and encourage participants to support and protect it.

March 2021 funding round

$10,083 - Centre for Science Communication; University of Otago  "Funds are sought for creation of The Nature Show with Karthic SS, a series for broadcast and podcast on Otago Access Radio. This audio documentary series will help whanau connect with their local environment through sounds of Otago’s natural taonga and stories from community members who advocate, restore, protect, and preserve Otago’s natural environment."

March 2021 funding round