Home Managing Natural Resources Biodiversity & Totara Reserve

Biodiversity and Tōtara Reserve

Our region is home to forests, wetlands, dunes and waterways unique to New Zealand. At Horizons, we work in partnership with our communities to protect and enhance our patch of native New Zealand. We are lucky enough to have our own Regional Park in Tōtara Reserve and many other excellent examples of living heritage, like Te Āpiti - Manawatū Gorge and Manawatū River.

However, continued development of the landscape has created isolated pockets of native habitat. These can range from large areas such as those in forest parks to very small areas found on private land. Preserving these remnants requires a combination of assistance to help voluntary efforts.

Our native flora and fauna is a taonga that helps to define us as a nation and as a sector, now is the time to tackle the big questions around its future management. Good progress is being made in some areas, aided by effective new technology and greater public, corporate and philanthropic investment in the environment. Regional councils from around the country have come together and collaborated on a 'think-piece' document proposing five shifts to enhance the way we manage biodiversity in New Zealand. We encourage you to have a read, or watch the video above.

Horizons offers a number of community grants which the public can apply for each year, for projects that enhance and protect our environment. Find out more about Grants and Sponsorship.