Conservation Stories: Building Community Through the Okarito Plant Project

As the tourism season winds down on the West Coast during autumn, our focus shifts to an endeavour that brings our community together: the Okarito Plant Project. Launched in May 2023, this project is the result of innovative planning and a shared vision for conservation among a dedicated group of individuals from across Glacier Country. 

Building Community Through the Okarito Plant Project

Our core group of "founding members" includes us at Okarito Boat EcoTours, Tash & Cliff from Glacier Valley Ecotours, Chris Alexander from Matheson Cafe in Fox, Franz Josef Glacier Guides, and Jo & Julie from Ribbonwood Retreat B&B in Franz Josef. This diverse representation from the communities of Fox Glacier, Franz Josef, and Okarito has been crucial in shaping and driving the project forward.

We are also supported by advisory roles from Development West Coast and the Nature Economy Project, led by Zak Shaw, and Sam Speight from Landcare NZ Trust, who liaises with the essential landowners involved. One of our most inspiring projects is in Whataroa, where we are transforming 12 acres of retired farmland into a reserve. This area, featuring old totara stands, ponds, and streams, is being restored to its natural forest state to support native insects and birds.

Okarito Plant Project Milestones

Having begun with an ongoing planting project near Lake Matheson, Fox Glacier , we have also now completed three rounds of planting at the this Whataroa farm - the Purcell Reserve, including planting this week around a pond and stream area. After a recent rain, we were excited to see the stream flowing, imagining how the sedges we planted will trap silt and sediment from upstream farms. This sediment trapping is crucial as we live downstream at the Okarito wetlands, which seem to be slowly but steadily filling with sediment—a process accelerated by natural landslips and intensified storms.

Heavy rains are a hallmark of the West Coast, but the increased intensity of storms and some more intensive farming practices may exacerbate sedimentation and reducing fish, insect, and bird populations. Our sedges act as filters for this sediment, while grasses stabilize the soil, and bushes and trees provide shade and shelter. By planting only ecosourced native trees from the Okarito Native Plants Trust, we ensure nearly 100% success rates in our plantings, which we regularly maintain.

Volunteer Planting Efforts Evident

The results are already visible: bushes are fruiting, and plants are hosting spider webs, which are vital for the local bird population. Beyond the environmental impact, the project has brought immense joy and pride to landowners and volunteers alike. Each planting day feels like a celebration, with participants from all over—Fox, Franz, Okarito, and beyond—coming together to give back to this beautiful land.

One of our members recently remarked on the sense of community we've created, as we looked around at our diverse group of volunteers, united by their love and dedication to the land. This project is more than just planting trees; it's about fostering a deep connection to the environment and to each other, making a lasting impact on the West Coast and its natural heritage. 

Through the Okarito Plant Project, we are building a community of conservationists who are committed to preserving and restoring our precious ecosystems. The gratitude and pride we feel, along with the joy of working together towards a common goal, are truly unparalleled.

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