New Zealanders to plant over 10,000 pohutukawa and rata in 2014
This year, volunteers in communities all around New Zealand will plant more than 10,000 eco-sourced pohutukawa and rata
trees following the 2014 Project Crimson Community Restoration Programme which has recently opened for applications.
The Project Crimson Trust reviews applications from groups and individuals throughout New Zealand who aspire to create a
long-term benefit to their local community through conservation projects involving eco-sourced pohutukawa and northern
or southern rata trees. As well as trees, Project Crimson can provide funding to support a range of activities including
fencing, possum control, site preparation and ongoing care and maintenance. The Trust also supports research designed to
improve understanding of the ecology, or management options for pohutukawa and rata.
“Project Crimson has been working in communities for 24 years, and over this time we have planted well over 600,000
native trees. Our approach has always been to ‘teach a man to fish’ rather than ‘give a man a fish’. As a result
communities all over New Zealand are not only learning how to take care of their local ecosystems, but are taking
ownership of them. This has always been Project Crimson’s goal. Our work aims to engage communities in the importance of
the work, educate and advise them, provide support as a catalyst and encourage self sufficiency. For some of our
projects we are proud to have provided support for years, where others only require assistance for a short time frame”
says Project Crimson’s Communications Manager, Melanie Seyfort.
The annual funding round closes on 1 May 2014. To apply go to www.projectcrimson.org.nz or contact the Project Crimson office on 0800 764 888 for further detail.
Background
The Project Crimson Trust is a leading conservation organisation in New Zealand, established in 1990. Project Crimson
have made impressive progress re-establishing pohutukawa and rata nationwide by planting trees, coordinating and
supporting a wide range of maintenance activities, scientific research, possum control programmes and public education.
Project Crimson is supported by the Department of Conservation, Mazda and the Mazda Foundation, Ata Rangi wines, Rata by
Josh Emett and Biolage hair products.
ENDS