Conservation & Sustainablity

The Ōkārito Plant Project was founded by the Ōkārito Native Plants Trust as an innovative solution, empowering communities and businesses to be involved in the restoration and protection of natural ecosystems. The project cultivates eco-sourced native seedlings to revitalise forests, farmlands, waterways, and wetlands. It offers businesses, landowners, visitors and locals the chance to work together towards a sustainable future by contributing through membership, donations or volunteering. Every plant grown and planted plays a role in preserving South Westland’s natural beauty for future generations.

GorseBusters is a volunteer conservation project tackling gorse along the shores of the Ōkārito Lagoon. Started in 2021 by Okarito Kayaks, this good old-fashioned working bee brings together volunteers from across the country for a week each autumn to tackle gorse and other invasive weeds along the shores of New Zealand’s largest unmodified coastal wetland. Over 50km of shoreline has been worked on, helping native plants regenerate and improving feeding grounds for whitebait and birdlife. With strong local support, a great social spirit and a 2024 NZ Biosecurity Award to their name, GorseBusters is proof that community action is a powerful force for protecting our environment.

Launched in 2018 by Glacier Valley Eco Tours, Project Early Bird is a community-led predator control initiative based around the shores of Lake Matheson. With support from the Department of Conservation, the project targets invasive predators to protect birdlife and invertebrates, including endangered fernbirds and the Rowi kiwi. More than 100 traps have been installed and are regularly checked by a dedicated team of local volunteers. Project Early Bird not only restores ecosystems but also brings the local community together in a shared mission to create a predator-free future.

Predator Free South Westland is an ambitious initiative aiming to eliminate possums, rats, and stoats from 100,000 hectares between the Whataroa and Waiau (Waiho) Rivers, the Southern Alps, and the Tasman Sea. Led by Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP), the project employs innovative trapping, baiting, and detection techniques to protect native species like the rowi kiwi, kōtuku, kea, and the Ōkārito gecko. Beyond ecological restoration, the project fosters community engagement, creates employment opportunities, and supports sustainable land management practices.