11 Sep 08 - Conservation Efforts Recognised

Landcorp's conservation efforts were recognised at the recent Department of Conservation, Conservation Awards.

11th September 2008 - Department of Conservation, Southland Conservation Awards

The following is based on an article published in the Department of Conservation's programme for the Conservation Awards held at Invercargill on 11th September 2008.

"Landcorp may not always be the landowner and the current land use may not always remain the same, so the only constant is the land and if we protect it now, it's always protected".

Perhaps not the words you' expect to hear from the country's largest farmer! However, this statement sums up the approach Landcorp Farming Ltd has taken to protecting waterways and wetlands within many of its Southland farming operations.

Landcorp's approach has seen the forging of strong working relationships with the QEII National Trust, the Waiau Fisheries and Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Trust and the Department of Conservation over the past decade.

This has resulted in the protection of a significant number of waterways and wetland areas, on Landcorp farms, from future development.  With many of these waterways being in head catchments, the benefits are significant, with fish, invertebrate and plant species all flourishing as a result of these initiatives.

"Recognising its corporate leadership role, but more importantly that it is part of a wider community for which water plays an increasingly important role, Landcorp Farming Ltd is to be congratulated on the extensive riparian protection programme it has undertaken."

In addition, the corridors and linkages that have resulted now provide public access to new areas and improved access to existing conservation areas, such as the Takitimu Mountains. The benefit of this is increased recreational opportunities to areas where access hasn't been readily available in the past.

"The rights of private landowners is recognised by the Department, so when any landowner is prepared to facilitate public access to an adjoining conservation area, this should be acknowledged and celebrated."

Our continuing efforts to contribute to the protection of the environment culminated in Landcorp being presented with the Corporate Conservation Award at the Department of Conservation's Conservation Awards held in Invercargill on 11th September 2008.

The conservation initiatives we have undertaken in Southland are being repeated at our farms across New Zealand and we continue to seek new opportunities to enhance the initiatives already in place.

 

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