OUR WORK
Restoring the Abel Tasman together
The Abel Tasman National Park is on a path to recovery
In 2012 the Abel Tasman looked like an unspoilt natural paradise but ecologically it was in trouble. Fourteen years and more than $21 million later, the results are tangible.
Thank you to the philanthropists who dared to think differently. To the Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust, the Department of Conservation (DOC), iwi (Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Tama and Te Ātiawa), researchers, contractors, volunteers, educators, tourism operators, neighbours and supporters.
Together, we have made a difference.
OUR MISSION
Secure
Protecting existing ecological values
Restore
Restoring specific ecosystems and re-introducing birdlife
Future Proof
Embedding a passion for ongoing conservation
SECURE
Pest and Weed Control
Introduced weeds and animal pests are the leading cause of ecological decline in the park (after human activity).
By controlling the main offenders (rats, stoats, possums, wasps, wilding pines and weeds) and stopping them re-entering or spreading further through the park, we gave the native wildlife a chance to recover and set the park’s ecology on a path to recovery.
RESTORE
Bringing back the wildlife
What once was a silent forest is now, in parts, a chorus of chattering native birds. Since 2014 kākāriki, kākā, tieke/saddleback, whio and pāteke/brown teal have all been translocated into the park. Data from the monitoring of forest birds and giant land snails as part of the Tomorrow Accord continues to drive conservation efforts in the park.
As the numbers of rats, stoats and possums reduce, we are seeing predator sensitive forest birds (like toutouwai/robin and titipounamu/rifleman) moving towards the coast via predator free corridors.
Kakariki released
Kaka released
Natives planted at Hadfield Clearing
Northern Rata planted
FUTURE PROOF
Inspiring care for the Abel Tasman
An ecological restoration project of this scale requires the support of a whole community. We were fortunate to have had incredible backing from iwi, local businesses, tourism providers, residents, bach owners and schools.
Our education and Abel Tasman Youth Ambassador programmes are continuing past the lifetime of Project Janszoon.
Together we have made a difference.
“Personally, I have been really blown away by the reaction to this project. This was something I was passionate about and as soon as you start to talk to people you see a mixture of excitement and disbelief I think, in their eyes. Disbelief that anybody would put up this sort of resource and disbelief that we are going to take a long term view of it.”
Devon McLean, Project Janszoon director