ABOUT
Point Bush Ecosanctuary is a unique 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 non-profit and all donations and proceeds go directly back into our conservation projects!
Please make sure to adhere to all signage and instructions when you visit - No Dogs.
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Point Bush Ecological Restoration Trust
Established in August 2019 for the benefit of the local Waimate Community and Visitors. The 4.5 Klm (94Ha) pest predator fenced site was completed in June 2021 by the Trus with the vision to protect and preserve remnants of ancient native forest of tōtara, mataī, kahikatea, kо̄whai and native fuschia (that survived the great fire of 1878) and to replant 20,000 + native trees alongside the regenerating forest - home to endemic native birdlife including korimako (Bellbird), tui, Kereru (Native Wood Pigeon), piwakawaka (Fantail), titipounamu (Rifleman). A pest predator trapping programme commenced in January 2021 and to-date some 300 wallaby, 190 possum, numerous mustelids, rats and mice have been eliminated with a number of DOC traps set throughout the sanctuary. The vision is to become a wallaby and mustelid free sanctuary to enable the safe re-introduction of SI Robin and tieke (Saddleback). The Ecosanctuary has a number of recreational walking and mountain bike tracks maintained by volunteers from the local groups. The Ecosanctuary has a QE11 covenant status 2022.
Our vision is to allow the native forest to return as part of a long term conservation aim; to protect and enhance this unique natural environment, to create a place for the community to connect with nature and as an educational resource. The fenced Ecosanctuary will remain in perpetuity as a free to access facility gifted to the community - made possible by the many Sponsors and Donors of the Point Bush Ecosanctuary.
WAYS TO HELP
Donate through the Ecosanctuary website GIVEALITTLE
contact us direct to become a TŌTARA * KAHIKATEA * HOROEKA Donor or Sponsor
Donations help turn visions into reality!
As the Ecosanctuary grows and matures, plans include elimination of pest predators
and wallaby to facilitate eventual introduction of SI Robin and Tieke native bird species.
Use of devised technology/Aps to monitor trapping and bio-diversity data
* WIFI network coverage of the Ecosanctuary
* Development of Ecosanctuary Ap featuring map/tracks/native flora & fauna
* Bio/blitz data base development
* Establishment of Biodiversity Educational Hub/Forest School area
* Informational & Educational Signage of native flora & fauna species
* Ecosanctuary track map/Ap
* Traps/bait/trail cameras
* Track maintenance tools/equipment/herbicides/fence maintenance
* Community events/ workshops/talks/trap training
Find Us Online & Make A Donation
MAKE A DONATION
Our donations are made through our GIVEALITTLE page - you can select the financial contribution you would like to make! If you would like to make a donation as a TŌTARA DONOR, KAHIKATEA DONOR or HOROEKA DONOR please contact us after making your donation of the corresponding amount via Givealittle on pointbushecosanctuary@gmail.com or alternatively you can contact our Trust Secretary Ann Dennison on +6421576868 to discuss your donation!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
HOW TO GET HERE
We’re on Point Bush Road in the foothills above Waimate, South Canterbury - the lower part of the South Island of Aotearoa New Zealand.
We’re 50kms north of Oamaru and 45kms south of Timaru.
It’s about 2 hours to drive north from Dunedin, about 2.5 hours heading south from Christchurch, or a little less than an hour from Kurow.
READ OUR BLOG "POINT BUSH BIOME"
LONG TAILED BATS
May 29, 2023
We were delighted to welcome Robert Carson-Iles, Senior DOC Ranger to the Point Bush Visitor Centre last Saturday (20th May) to talk to us about Long Tailed bats or Pekapeka in South Canterbury. Whilst most of us know there are bats somewhere around....many of us have little knowledge of ...
WHERE TO FIND US
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