Restoring Nature
2021 AWARD FINALIST
Sponsored by Department of Conservation
Tahi is a private nature-conservation retreat in Northland. Bought in 2004 as 780 acres of mostly degraded pasture, only 14 bird species were recorded. Now there are extensive wetlands, recovering dune systems, forests and shrublands. A total of 71 bird species have been recorded recently, 22 of which are rare or endangered. Tahi reinvests 100% of profits in conservation and cultural projects.
Tahi has been working with leading scientists to develop the Bio Value Index (BVI). This research-based methodology allocates carbon, biodiversity and hydro value to individual species. It captures the value they bring to a given ecosystem. BVI measures the environmental impact of restoration efforts. It’s also as a tool to guide decision-making in Tahi’s ecosystem recovery projects.
BVI has the potential to guide strategies well beyond Tahi. It can tackle today’s environmental crises. It can quantify the rewards for those actions that are most effective in doing so.