To help WRT reach its goal of planting 10,000 more native trees, a generous donor has pledged to match all public donations dollar-for-dollar, up to a total of $10,000.
The matched funding provides a powerful opportunity for the community to double their impact. For example, a standard donation of $15, which covers the cost and care of one native tree, will now fund two trees. This initiative, which is part of a wider fundraising campaign, aims to raise the funds needed to get an additional 10,000 plants in the ground across the project's eight restoration sites for the next season.
Wetlands are critical ecosystems that support a wide range of native species and play a vital role in flood protection, carbon sequestration, and water quality improvement. With only 10% of Aotearoa’s original wetlands remaining, WRT's work is essential for the ecological health of the island.
Kristin Busher, Partnerships Manager at WRT, reflects on the project's impact over the last decade. “In 2015, Love Our Wetlands planted our very first harakeke and tī kōuka in the once weed-ridden edge at the back of Rangihoua. This year, those native trees are in full bloom, and pīwakawaka and tūī abound,” she says.
“Stream edges are protected and the community is connected through the mahi they have contributed. Our vision is to restore all of Waiheke’s wetlands and we hope the community will join us.”
Donations to the campaign will directly support local employment, fund the purchase of eco-sourced native plants from on-island nurseries, and enable the WRT team to host community and corporate volunteers for planting and weedingdays. Every plant is given its best chance through continued monitoring, tree releasing and care, protecting every dollar invested.
All donations to the campaign can be doubled by visiting https://loww.raiselysite.com/