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Help Project Crimson protect pohutukawa and rata from myrtle rust

$260 donated

Given by 12 generous donors in around 7 months

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Myrtle rust is the most critical threat to pohutukawa since Project Crimson was set up in 1990 to halt its decline.

Nationwide

It’s a popular image of the New Zealand summer, when pohutukawa and rata are bursting with blossom. Yet by 1990 it was clear that these trees could become wiped out in some parts of the country. Project Crimson was established to restore pohutukawa and rata to New Zealand’s forests and coastlines.

Led by a bunch of enthusiastic and committed volunteers, Project Crimson initially set out to replant areas of the Northland coastline with pohutukawa. Over 27 years that mandate broadened to a national focus, to include rata, and now a wider ecosystem focus.

Hundreds of thousands of trees have been planted, and Project Crimson has played a major role in turning around the health of the metrosideros species.

But pohutukawa is under threat again. The Project Crimson Trust is seriously concerned for the impact of myrtle rust on pohutukawa; at this stage there’s no way of predicting how our native plants will cope with this fungal disease. We are asking for your help as New Zealand faces a major biosecurity threat to native plants with the discovery of myrtle rust.

Project Crimson has worked for many years as the organisation that has mobilised and supported communities to reverse the decline of pohutukawa.

We will initiate a number of programmes to assist in New Zealand's response to myrtle rust, including

(a) supporting research into the likely extent of damage to pohutukawa and rata by myrtle rust, and into varieties in the existing population that may be resistant to it

(b) mobilising the community, schools, iwi and landowners to help in regularly monitoring pohutukawa and rata in their neighbourhood or on their land as a form of citizen science, and providing guidance on how to do this.

About us

Trees That Count supports the regeneration of Aotearoa New Zealand's native forests, connecting restoration projects across the country with funding for native trees. $13 plants a tree!

Together with businesses and everyday New Zealanders, Trees That Count has been enabling the regeneration of New Zealand's forests and ecosystems for more than three decades.

Born from Project Crimson Trust, our history began with efforts to save the pōhutukawa, and later the northern rātā and southern rātā, which were dangerously close to extinction. Decades of hard work, bringing together community groups, businesses and volunteers, nurturing successful nationwide partnerships, led to the planting of over 300,000 pōhutukawa and rātā - dramatically reversing the decline of our beloved native ‘Christmas trees’.

Today, our focus is on all native trees, giving individuals and groups on the ground the backing they need to carry out critical mahi for our climate, biodiversity, and communities.

Our native forests are vital. They help filter pollutants from the air we breathe, clean the waterways that flow into our oceans, provide habitat for taonga species, and strengthen landscapes against the worst impacts of extreme weather events. They support our economy, industries, and us, benefitting both our physical and emotional wellbeing. And they're deeply woven into our cultural identity, offering us a connection to the land, and a place to be proud of.

But they’re in decline. Since human arrival in Aotearoa New Zealand, we’ve lost more than 70% of our forested areas. And right now, more than 4,000 of our native plant and wildlife species are threatened or at risk of extinction.

But it’s not too late to act. Since 2016, more than 30,000 individuals, whānau and businesses have taken action to enable the planting of more than 3.3 million native trees.

Join us in growing future forests and making a lasting difference.

Trees That Count welcomes Payroll Giving through Givealitte. Regular funding helps us create ongoing impact.

Use of funds

100% of all donations will be used to help Project Crimson work on ways to fight or control myrtle rust, including undertaking research, raising awareness of the threat and mobilising Kiwis to take action in their communities.