Mystery family invest millions to restore Abel-Tasman National Park
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| Wednesday, 22nd February 2012 |
A private trust funded by an anonymous philanthropic New Zealand family is investing millions on a three-decade-project in Abel Tasman National Park to remove weeds and pests and to expand DOC's species recovery efforts.
Project Janszoon will invest more than $25m to help restore native forest and wildlife in about 80 per cent of the 22,500ha park by 2042, the 100th anniversary of the park and the 400th anniversary of Dutch explorer Abel Janszoon Tasman finding New Zealand.
The project is a partnership between DOC and the Project Janszoon Trust, formed last December to support the Abel Tasman conservation programme with initial funding from a philanthropic New Zealand family which wishes to remain anonymous.
Not all of the $25m will come from the mystery family, only the funding to launch the project. The Trust will seek other donors as the 30-year project moves forward.
Project Janszoon Director Devon McLean said the project was named after the middle name of Abel Tasman to symbolise the project's goal of restoring the ecological heart and essence of the park.
"The Project Janszoon Trust wants the 2042 celebrations of the park’s 100th anniversary and the 400th anniversary of Abel Tasman’s visit to be a celebration of an outstanding conservation success story," McLean said."Abel Tasman National Park was chosen by the Trust because as one of New Zealand’s most visited national parks it’s an ideal location to demonstrate the potential of a sustained restoration effort where many people can appreciate it."
"The restoration programme will expand on DOC's pest control and species recovery work and that of the Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust which we will also work alongside and support, including its wilding pine control programme."
DOC's Nelson-Marlborough conservator Neil Clifton said Project Janszoon’s long-term, large-scale approach would enable the "tide to be turned" against weeds and pests so native species can thrive again.
"Currently more than 150,000 people visit the park’s coast each year because it's an outstanding natural place for relaxation and recreation," Clifton said. "People’s park experience will be enriched by an increasingly flourishing birdlife and a lush, healthy forest thanks to Project Janszoon and the work of Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust.”
Project Janszoon intends to increase the abundance of native species still found in the park including kaka, bellbirds, tui, weka, Powelliphanta snails, northern rata and mistletoes. It also aims to return species no longer present, possibly including great spotted kiwi, mohua, and sooty shearwater.
With work expected to get underway in March, an ecological restoration plan for the park is being developed now.
Project Janszoon will invest more than $25m to help restore native forest and wildlife in about 80 per cent of the 22,500ha park by 2042, the 100th anniversary of the park and the 400th anniversary of Dutch explorer Abel Janszoon Tasman finding New Zealand.
The project is a partnership between DOC and the Project Janszoon Trust, formed last December to support the Abel Tasman conservation programme with initial funding from a philanthropic New Zealand family which wishes to remain anonymous.
Not all of the $25m will come from the mystery family, only the funding to launch the project. The Trust will seek other donors as the 30-year project moves forward.
Project Janszoon Director Devon McLean said the project was named after the middle name of Abel Tasman to symbolise the project's goal of restoring the ecological heart and essence of the park.
"The Project Janszoon Trust wants the 2042 celebrations of the park’s 100th anniversary and the 400th anniversary of Abel Tasman’s visit to be a celebration of an outstanding conservation success story," McLean said."Abel Tasman National Park was chosen by the Trust because as one of New Zealand’s most visited national parks it’s an ideal location to demonstrate the potential of a sustained restoration effort where many people can appreciate it."
"The restoration programme will expand on DOC's pest control and species recovery work and that of the Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust which we will also work alongside and support, including its wilding pine control programme."
DOC's Nelson-Marlborough conservator Neil Clifton said Project Janszoon’s long-term, large-scale approach would enable the "tide to be turned" against weeds and pests so native species can thrive again.
"Currently more than 150,000 people visit the park’s coast each year because it's an outstanding natural place for relaxation and recreation," Clifton said. "People’s park experience will be enriched by an increasingly flourishing birdlife and a lush, healthy forest thanks to Project Janszoon and the work of Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust.”
Project Janszoon intends to increase the abundance of native species still found in the park including kaka, bellbirds, tui, weka, Powelliphanta snails, northern rata and mistletoes. It also aims to return species no longer present, possibly including great spotted kiwi, mohua, and sooty shearwater.
With work expected to get underway in March, an ecological restoration plan for the park is being developed now.
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