Community Funds Distribute $85,000 for Environmental Initiatives

The Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown community funds have allocated a total of $85,000 in grants to support environmental initiatives in the Upper Clutha and Wakatipu regions for the year 2025. This funding aims to protect and regenerate the natural environment, reflecting a commitment to sustainable tourism and environmental stewardship.

The grants are made possible through donations from local businesses, industry partners, and visitors. According to Ash Bickley, Community Fund co-ordinator, these grants signify a united effort from the community towards a sustainable future. “These grants are about more than funding — they represent a community working together for the future of our region,” Bickley stated.

This year’s recipients include a diverse array of organizations dedicated to environmental preservation. Beneficiaries of the grants include the Mana Tāhuna Charitable Trust, Te Kākano Aotearoa, Planetary Accounting Network, Plastic Free Wānaka, WAI Wānaka, Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust, Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Skies, Upper Clutha Tracks Trust, Wakatipu Reforestation Trust, Wakatipu Wildlife Trust, and Friends of Bullock Creek. The initiatives supported by the grants will focus on projects such as native habitat restoration, biodiversity monitoring, predator control, waste reduction, wetland protection, and community engagement.

In addition to the grants, the community funds have invested a further $19,000 into the Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown endowment funds. This investment aims to create long-term financial resilience to support environmental restoration efforts for years to come.

Jennifer Belmont, Chief Executive of the 45 South Community Foundation, formerly known as the Wakatipu Community Foundation, emphasized the importance of these initiatives for future generations. “Today’s grants make a real difference on the ground, and the long-term investment means that difference will last,” she noted.

The allocations made by the Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown community funds not only provide immediate support for essential projects but also lay the groundwork for sustainable development in the regions. By fostering partnerships among businesses, locals, and visitors, the initiative underscores the community’s dedication to protecting its natural heritage while promoting regenerative tourism.