TypeOrganisationParallel NameWellington Natural Heritage Trust IncorporatedDate Range1999-DescriptionThe Wellington Natural Heritage Trust was formed in 1999 to manage the Long Gully Bush Reserve - 107 hectares of regenerating forest to the west of Zealandia. This Reserve is the largest area of protected private land in Wellington City.
Originally forested and cleared for farming, abandonment of farming in the area has allowed for regeneration through scrub to native forest. A group of Wellington conservationists formed the Truest and bought the original 50 hectares of the block in 1999.
Most of the land is owned by the Wellington Natural Heritage Trust and contributions of land from several neighbours add to the managed areas. Covenants protect the Trust land and some of the land owned by the neighbours and the whole area is managed by the Trust.
The Trust provides ongoing pest and weed control in the reservice and supports other groups that are working to protect and restore natural ecosystems in Wellington. Between 2006-2008 a fence was built to exclude goats, pigs and fallow deer. This accelerated the regeneration of natives. Possums and other predators are controlled using bait stations and traps.
Over the past 25 years there has been a transformation in the regeneration of the bush through these efforts by the Trust. Weed and pest control being critical to the area's success the Trust continues fundraising through the community and larger group partners. Internal StructuresThe founding trustees were: Colin Ryder, Margaret Wassilieff, Stuart Young, Barbara Mitcalfe and Robert Logan.External LinksWellington Natural Heritage Trust
