Peel Forest Eco Lodge Renovation

In 2000, the Peel Forest Outdoors Pursuits Trust bought the 22 hectares of land at the EcoLodge site and set up a QEII Covenant to protect the significant native bush and the on-going regeneration of this. The EcoLodge building was donated in 2003, originally for the Conservation Corps programme that was running onsite.

Since then the Trust and staff at Peel Forest Outdoors Pursuit Centre have continued to develop the Eco-based accommodation that can be used alongside the outdoor centre programmes which, in increasingly digital world spent inside, are creating unique experiences to challenge people to get out & be enriched by the great outdoors that is uniquely New Zealand. We are proud our programmes have inspired many participants from community groups & schools and we are humbled by the positive feedback we receive.

We believe that we can reduce the impact that we have on our planet by making responsible choices in our lifestyle. We promote a variety of ecologically friendly accommodation options, which aim to use a variety of benign technologies to lessen the effect that we have on Earth. These technologies include using recycled and locally sourced buildings and materials, using sycamore (a local pest plant) to provide air and water heating via a wetback in the Eco Lodge, using composting toilets in our Eco-cabins, processing our grey water through a reed bed, and harnessing the suns solar power to generate electricity and hot water. The EcoLodge is a working example of alternative building and waste technologies. “A unique experience in Australasia”

After 15 years of providing accommodation to schools, community groups and the public, the lodge is in need of a upgrade.

The focus area of the Lodge renovation are :

Phase 1 : We are happy to advise this is work in progress:

Water system upgrade

Kitchen Refit

New deck

Funded via Give a little and private donors

Phase 2 : Completing interior fit out

New thermal black out curtains for all bedrooms $4,518

30 new mattresses $6943

Building materials for new bunk beds in all bedrooms $4500

Total Cost = $15,961

Phase 3 : Alternative Energy Source

New solar power system upgrade $34,500

Phase 4 : Weed control & regeneration program on QEII block

Removal of weeds like Sycamore, Himalayan Honeysuckle & blackberry

Regeneration program of NZ native on QEII land

Pest Control - purchase, placement & on-going management of kill traps to manage control pests

We are truly grateful for any donation toward the upgrades & will be updating the page along with our social media on the work as it happens. For volunteering towards the labour on the upgrades please contact us via our website for details.

Thank you again