26 February 2016

Taranaki people have a new way to demonstrate their wild enthusiasm for the region’s natural environment.

Wild for Taranaki.‘Wild for Taranaki’, launched today by Conservation Minister Maggie Barry, provides a direct link between the community and important environmental projects across the region, making it easy to offer support financially and/or as volunteers.

“We’re open for business,” says Mike Weren, Chair of the Taranaki Biodiversity Trust – the organisation behind Wild for Taranaki. “We want the whole community to become ‘wild for Taranaki’ and help us achieve our goals.

“People can become involved as friends or members of the Trust, or volunteer their time and skills, or make donations – there are many ways to help,” says Mr Weren. “See our website at www.wildfortaranaki.nz for more information.”

The Trust was formed last year by key community groups and agencies involved in the protection of native plants, animals and ecosystems in Taranaki. It aims to support such work in the region by encouraging public involvement, ensuring co-ordination between groups and agencies in the field, fostering links and raising funds.

The Trust will act as a channel for biodiversity funding in the region and today’s Wild for Taranaki launch was followed by a Forum to create a short-list of funding priorities. “It’s an exciting time,” says Mr Weren. “It’s the first time the Taranaki community can consider biodiversity priority areas and potential outcomes on a regional scale.”

Founding members of the Trust were the Department of Conservation, East Taranaki Environment Trust, Waikato University Environmental Research Institute, Federated Farmers, Fish and Game, MAIN Trust, New Plymouth District Council, NZ Herpetological Society, Nga Motu Marine Reserve Society, North Taranaki Forest & Bird, Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust, QEII National Trust, South Taranaki Forest & Bird, South Taranaki District Council, Stratford District Council, Taranaki Kiwi Trust, Taranaki Regional Council, Taranaki Tree Trust and Tiaki Te Mauri O Parininihi Trust. The Taranaki Regional Council is a core funder and provides administrative support.

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