Living Springs Sanctuary
Our vision is to create a camp within a sanctuary, a place where native wildlife thrives and people connect with nature.
Imagine a place where native birdsong fills the valleys, threatened species find a safe home, and thousands of children experience the wonder of nature firsthand.
This is the vision behind the Living Springs Eco-Sanctuary. Set within our 350-hectare property overlooking Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour, we are working towards establishing a 220-hectare predator-proof fenced sanctuary where native wildlife can flourish and people can connect with the natural world.
Building on more than 15 years of environmental restoration, the proposed sanctuary represents an exciting new chapter for Living Springs. A positive feasibility study has confirmed the potential to establish a sanctuary that could support the reintroduction of native species, while creating extraordinary opportunities for conservation, education and community engagement.
A Sanctuary for Nature and People
Following a comprehensive feasibility study, Living Springs is progressing plans to establish a 220-hectare predator-proof fenced eco-sanctuary within its 350-hectare property.
The proposed sanctuary would provide a protected environment for native wildlife to recover and create opportunities to reintroduce threatened species that have disappeared from the wider landscape.
What makes this project particularly special is its connection to people. Every year, approximately 12,000 visitors come to Living Springs, including around 7,000 schoolchildren. The eco-sanctuary would offer an extraordinary opportunity for these visitors to experience native wildlife firsthand, helping foster a lifelong connection with nature.
Building on a Strong Foundation
The eco-sanctuary vision builds on more than 15 years of practical conservation work. Since 2011, Living Springs has worked alongside Ngāti Wheke, conservation partners, volunteers and neighbouring landowners to restore native habitats, protect waterways and reduce introduced predators.
Together, we have undertaken extensive native planting, established a comprehensive predator control network and supported biodiversity recovery across the wider Allandale catchment.
This work has laid the foundations for the proposed eco-sanctuary, demonstrating the commitment, partnerships and practical experience needed to take the next step.
78,000+
Native plants established
9,000+
Conservation volunteer hours annually
1,800 ha
Predator Free Allandale coverage
Bringing Native Wildlife Back
Living Springs is already home to a remarkable variety of native plants and wildlife, including the rare Banks Peninsula caddisfly (Edpercivalia banksiensis), whose conservation has recently received international recognition.
The proposed eco-sanctuary would build on this natural heritage, providing a protected environment where native species can flourish and creating opportunities to reintroduce wildlife that has disappeared from the area.
Through predator-proof fencing, continued habitat restoration and careful ecological management, we hope to bring back species that once belonged here, enriching the biodiversity of the Port Hills for generations to come.
The Next Chapter
Following a positive feasibility study, Living Springs is now moving towards the next stage of planning and development for the proposed eco-sanctuary.
Our immediate priority is to secure $1 million in seed funding to progress the detailed planning, design and development work needed to bring the sanctuary closer to reality. This will lay the groundwork for the larger investment required to establish the predator-proof fence and prepare for future species reintroductions.
We are looking for partners who share our vision of a camp within a sanctuary. Philanthropic supporters, businesses, charitable trusts and individuals all have an opportunity to help create something extraordinary for Canterbury — a place where conservation and community come together, and future generations can experience the richness of Aotearoa’s native wildlife.
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