Strengthening Biodiversity at Living Springs with Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust

We are excited to be part of the Farm Biodiversity whānau with the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust (BPCT), marking another step forward in our ongoing commitment to conservation.

As a 420ha working farm and outdoor education centre, we have spent over a decade restoring native habitat, managing predator control, and fostering environmental education. Thousands of students, volunteers, and researchers have gained hands-on conservation experience at Living Springs, and our regenerating forest now stretches from the summit to the sea.

With the completion of the Kaimahi for Nature project in March 2024, we have been working hard to maintain momentum—expanding our predator control programme and improving monitoring methods. We are currently working with University of Canterbury students, who will be conducting two research projects here to help refine our pest management strategies and ensure our efforts remain effective and forward-thinking.

Over the years, we have gathered extensive data on trapping, biodiversity monitoring, and habitat restoration. Now, with BPCT’s Farm Biodiversity platform, we have the opportunity to consolidate this valuable information into a single, accessible system—helping us track long-term trends and enhance our conservation planning.

Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. We work closely with volunteers, neighbouring landowners, and conservation partners, and this connection with BPCT further strengthens our ability to deliver landscape-scale restoration across Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour.

We are grateful to Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust for their support in this next stage of our journey. Together, we’re working towards a healthier, more resilient future for our native biodiversity.