Charity Ball helps raise $65,000 for Tamatea/Dusky Sound

MEDIA UPDATE
17 August 2016

“Birds of a Feather” Charity Ball helps raise $65,000 for Tamatea/Dusky Sound Restoration Project

The second annual “Birds of a Feather” Charity Ball has raised over $65,000 for the Department of Conservation’s Tamatea/Dusky Sound Restoration Project and saw Real Journeys commit to making Cooper Island, (the third largest island in Dusky Sound, Fiordland) predator-free.

Real Journeys Chief Executive, Richard Lauders says taking responsibility for a 1779 hectare island was a practical way to contribute to DOC’s project which aims to restore Dusky Sound to one of the most intact ecosystems on Earth. Real Journeys intends to start laying 1000 traps on Cooper Island next winter.

“We work closely with DOC and have already commissioned a viability report on making the island pest free, so we know the costs involved are estimated at around $300,000. We currently contribute funds from our multi-day Discovery Expeditions; with the ticket sales and auction items from the “Birds of a Feather” Charity Ball we are well on the way,” says Richard.

DOC’s Director-General, Lou Sanson, attended Saturday’s Ball. “Real Journeys is helping us restore Tamatea/Dusky Sound, one of the world’s greatest conservation treasures. It was fantastic to speak at the charity ball and see the significant level of support for the predator control work we’re doing, which is ultimately aimed at eradicating pests from all of Dusky’s islands,” says Lou Sanson.

The black tie evening held at the Colonel’s Homestead at Walter Peak, near Queenstown, featured art that had been especially created for DOC to raise funds for its Tamatea/Dusky Sound Restoration Project, several of which sold on the night. All the art works will feature in a national art exhibition that will tour the country.

Last year’s “Birds of a Feather” Charity Ball raised over $35,000 for Kakapo Recovery.

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