Eco-Sanctuary
What are we actually trying to restore?
Could Living Springs become an eco-sanctuary? Part 2 Before James Lynch could assess whether an eco-sanctuary at Living Springs was feasible, he had to establish what we actually meant by restoration. It sounds straightforward – plant native trees, control predators, bring back native birds – but ecological restoration is more ambitious than that. Jim defines…
Read MoreWe had an idea. But was it a good one?
Could Living Springs become an eco-sanctuary? Following the evidence, Part 1 For years, restoration work has been changing the landscape at Living Springs. Former farmland is regenerating and native vegetation is returning. Predator control has expanded beyond Living Springs itself into the surrounding landscape. Thousands of native plants have gone into the ground and volunteers,…
Read MoreLiving Springs becomes first New Zealand recipient of prestigious international conservation award
We’re delighted to share some exciting news! Living Springs has become the first New Zealand recipient of a Chairman’s Award from The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, recognising the conservation work happening right here in Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour. The award supports our work protecting and restoring habitat for Edpercivalia banksiensis, a nationally endangered freshwater…
Read MoreReading the Stream: How eDNA Testing Helps Us Understand Our Ecosystem
Recently, our environmental team were out in the stream collecting water samples. At first glance, it may have looked like a simple bucket-and-bottle exercise. But what we were collecting holds an extraordinary amount of information about life in our waterways. This is called eDNA testing. What is eDNA? eDNA stands for environmental DNA. All living…
Read MoreLiving Springs Embarks on Eco Sanctuary Feasibility Study
Living Springs is stepping into an exciting new chapter, exploring the creation of an eco sanctuary on its 400 hectare property on Banks Peninsula. A feasibility study has been commissioned and will be led by Jim Lynch, founder of Zealandia in Wellington. Zealandia is celebrated as the world’s first fully fenced urban ecosanctuary, pioneering a…
Read MoreVolunteer Coordinator – Conservation & Predator-Free Project (Part-Time, Lyttelton Harbour)
Location: Living Springs, Whakaraupō/ Lyttelton Harbour Reports to: Conservation Department Hours: Part Time 24 hours, $30 per hour Status: Fixed Term Contract – 12 months INTRODUCTION Living Springs was established in 1972 and has celebrated 50yrs of operation at the head of Whakaraupō/ Lyttelton Harbour. Known principally as a Camp/Convention Centre it is also a…
Read MorePredator Free Allandale: protecting Living Springs together
In a world where preserving our natural ecosystems is so important, Living Springs has taken significant strides towards achieving this goal through the Kaimahi for Nature project. At the heart of this initiative lies a crucial mission: predator control and the eventual elimination of these threats.This blog explores the origins of Predator Free Allandale, a…
Read MoreWe need you!
The past year has been a massive one for our Kaimahi for nature crew. Creating an Eco-sanctuary is so much more than just planting some trees and setting some traps. In the past year the team built a tunnel house to grow native seedlings. They weeded over 270 ha’s of land. Over 8km of tracks…
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