Point Bush Ecological Restoration Trust

Point Bush Ecosanctuary is a unique biodiversity haven!

A conservation project to allow our native birdlife and flora to flourish in South Canterbury, New Zealand. The 90-hectare forest is home to wild kererū, pīwakawaka, tūī and kārearea, who are now frequently seen at Point Bush as native forest has been protected and enhanced over the past 30 years.

Our vision for the future is to create a predator-proof fenced Ecosanctuary, with a goal of securing the area for more native bird species to make their home here and to regenerate more of the land into native forest. Point Bush Ecosanctuary is a community trust, with free public access at all times throughout the year.

When you visit you can make use of our extensive public walking and mountain biking trails. We are a registered non-profit organisation and all donations and proceeds go directly back into our conservation projects! Over the coming year our focus is to complete the Ecosanctuary predator-proof fence which will surround the 90-hectare forest completely.

Transformation takes time, and this certainly rings true at Point Bush Ecosanctuary. What started as a simple task of propagation and tree planting nearly 30 years ago has bloomed into a larger vision and increased dedication to the future. Now the first area of planting and regeneration is a thriving native forest - home to native birds who are flourishing in their expanded habitat. This area was protected in perpetuity as an important community asset with the establishment of a QEII covenant some 20 years ago.

In 2019 the Point Bush Ecological Restoration Trust was established with the purpose of permanently protecting as well as gifting the hill block land and public trails as part of a 90 Ha Ecosanctuary for future generations to enjoy.

The immediate future at the Ecosanctuary in 2019 and 2020 includes creating a fully enclosed boundary fence, removal of invasive pest plant and animal species, a predator trapping programme and propagation of native plant species for future reforestation planting.