Tui Nature Reserve Wildlife Trust
The Tui Nature Reserve, located in the Outer Pelorus Sound in the Marlborough Sounds, held its first open day for students from Nelson and Marlborough on Saturday, September 17, 2011, in a move to educate youth about what has become an important conservation project in the upper South Island.
The reserve has been owned and managed by the Plaisier family - Brian, Ellen and their three children Leona, Liam and Esmae - for 17 years. The family has successfully transformed the peninsula from a barren, weed-ridden landscape to regenerating native bush. They also breed kakariki, geckos and giant weta with the aim of introducing these species to the peninsula.
After years of intense pest control and other conservation work to achieve where they are today, the family is now working towards the next step in their vision: Conservation education.
A major part of that was to hold an open day specifically for students from the Marlborough and Nelson region.
The Plaisiers have also formed a wildlife trust incorporating representatives from key supporters, including Ngati Kuia the Department of Conservation, the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust, the Marlborough District Council and others from the Marlborough community.
Brian Plaisier says more needed to be done to save New Zealand's wildlife.
The philosophy of the trust is "working together to save New Zealand wildlife" and to form a link between nearby landowners and conservation projects.
"The people who have come together to form this trust have extensive experience in research, science, skills in community development, practical field work and are all committed to make a difference."
One of the trust's first aims is to involve young people in conservation through youth and volunteer programmes including predator management, research and breeding of native fauna.
"The trust is building programmes to inspire and to create employment for those young people who have an interest," Brian says.
"The benefits are mutual. As well as creating awareness of the environment, participants will also learn practical knowledge and skills."
