West Coast businesses are selling native seedlings and putting the money towards predator traps that are put in and around places such as the Treetop Walkway in Hokitika. Photo: CC 4.0 BY-SA / MurielBendel
West Coast businesses are turning tree sales into traps in a bid to preserve native flora and fauna near Hokitika.
The initiative is a collaboration between West Coast Treetop Walkway and Zipline, and Hokitika Scenic Tours.
The traps are designed to control invasive species that threaten native birds and plant life.
Tours owner operator Rachel Wright said the idea sparked during the Covid lockdown as she wanted to help control predators in the area, and the other business got onboard after they discussed it.
"We ask $10 for every native seedling sold and that money goes to buying predator traps that we put in and around the Treetop Walkway and other places of need," Wright said.
"We've had a lot of support from people buying the trees to help with predator control. People are also learning about native trees and wildlife, and the impact predators can have.
"Out of respect to the mana whenua we work alongside local iwi in choosing the different native seedlings for placement at the Treetop Walk."
The different native seedlings that include mānuka, totara, harakeke, and wineberry plants.
These plants are either planted at the Treetop Walkway or taken home to gardens across Aotearoa.
Vonnie Cherry from the Treetop Walkway and Zipline said they were already noticing a difference.
"We've already observed a significant increase in bird numbers since the trapping project began," Cherry said.
Development West Coast chief executive Heath Milne said the collaboration was a great example of regenerative tourism.
"The initiative provides an opportunity for guests to give back to the region, providing an avenue to engage with the local ecosystem in a meaningful way, while helping protect our untamed natural wilderness."