Haehaeata Natural Heritage Trust

The Central Otago environment is the hottest, coldest and driest place in New Zealand.

Its dryland natural flora and fauna is distinctive and unique, but this heritage has largely been lost by the combined effects of fire, clearance for early pastoral farming, gold mining and rabbits. Many introduced plants have become weeds, able to outcompete native species for moisture and nutrients. Lowland native plant communities, especially, are now reduced to scattered individuals or small remnants restricted to the fringes of development or persist in sheltered refuges. Some species have become uncommon, rare or completely absent.

The Haehaeata Natural Heritage Trust is responding to this situation. The Trust works towards re-establishing viable and resilient ecosystems and habitats by drawing together expertise and fostering community interest.

The Trust operates the Clyde Railhead Community Eco-Nursery to propagate locally eco-sourced plants for our own revegetation projects and for other community group plantings on public land. We also assist those groups with planting & planning advice and funded plants (when we can).

Our weekly volunteer nursery sessions are a chance to involve members of our community along with schools and other groups in the propagation of our native species and to learn more about our plants and local environment.

Our seasonal planting days enable greater community involvement.

Advocacy and education (field trips & school visits) are also undertaken