Get Behind The Fence

Fundraising for the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary pest-proof fence got a big boost with the official launch of the public phase of the campaign at Bowater Honda on Friday night.

Invited guests heard Hon Dr Nick Smith, MP and Minister of Conservation, give a strong endorsement to the Sanctuary.

"The Brook Waimarama Sanctuary Trust has made admirable progress over the past decade in raising around two-thirds of the $4.7 million it needs to build the 14-kilometre fence around the 700-hectare site,” he said. “The project is an exciting example of independent community-led conservation, which has an increasingly important role to play in preserving our natural heritage.”

Dr Smith himself sponsored one of the first fence posts at the event and said he hoped this round of fundraising would help get the trust over the line and the fence built.

"The environmental benefit of this sanctuary is that it will enable native birds to again be seen in Nelson gardens that have been absent for decades. It will also provide an economic benefit for our tourism industry by giving visitors an opportunity to see our own special birds in their natural setting rather than in a zoo. This sanctuary reinforces Nelson’s proud heritage in environmental leadership. I will be doing all I can as both Conservation Minister and Nelson’s MP to ensure it achieves its ambitious goals."

Hudson Dodd, BWS Trust General Manager, said the catchy “Save our Babies—Get Behind the Fence” campaign was already generating interest, with families, businesses and community groups among those sponsoring fence posts.

“In the first three weeks of the campaign we’d already seen 100 fence posts sponsored, generating $30k in funding toward the fence. People are excited to see the light at the end of the tunnel for fund raising. It goes to show that Nelsonians recognise the great benefits this project will bring to the region,” said Mr Dodd. The BWS Trust is close to the $3m mark, with the goal of raising $4.7m for fence project, which is expected to get underway late this year.”

The “Get Behind the Fence!” campaign has opened offices in the Bowater Motor Group’s Honda dealership, corner of Rutherford and Hardy Streets. Chris Bowater, CEO of Bowater Honda, said the Bowater Motor Group is delighted to host the BWS Trust.

“We think the Brook Sanctuary project is an excellent community initiative, and are glad to be able support their efforts to return nature to the Nelson region. Bowaters is getting behind the fence, and we hope the rest of the community does, too.”

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