Biodiversity
Lake Hawea Station is a High Country Station with tussock alpine, scrub sub alpine, beech forest and freshwater ecosystems.
For planting and conservation we have identified three key areas to focus on restoration planting as many trees as possible every year.
Current LHS tree count: 21,000
Lake Hawea Station is committed to donating at least 20% of profit to a charitable purpose each financial year. This includes donations to various community conservation and restoration projects.
Charitable giving is an important part of our contribution to community and our Kaitiakitanga.
1. Beech & Totara Forests
The first is the beech and totara forests, this is the most ambitious and challenging but we believe in the main two catchments in upper Breast Creek there was historically beech forest and we would like to bring that back.
2. Alpine Scrub
The second is the sub alpine scrub made up of mostly Kanuka. We recognise the role natural regeneration has to play here after areas have been grazed for a long time and alot of areas historically burnt. As a result we will fence off some marginal areas to regenerate and there will be no burn offs on LHS.
3. Native Sanctuary
The third is the main focus and is where we have already put in 9,000 trial trees in two plots. Our vision is to have the lakefront from Gladstone to Timaru Creek completely planted in natives in a 30-metre strip with predator proof fencing around it. This is a substantial 7 km section and will involve partnership with DoC , Council and LINZ as not all of this Lake front is LHS.
Predator Free New Zealand
Conservation Goals
1. Plant the entire 7km of lakefront with native vegetation in a 30 meter wide riparian zone.
2. Allow Marginal sub alpine land to regenerate and become home to native birds
3. Bring back mountain Beech to the two main backcountry catchments, the most ambitious and challenging conservation strategy.
We have a lot to learn and look forward to sharing this process over the coming years with different members of the Hawea and Wanaka Community.
Planting
We aim to plant 100,000 trees. They are all eco-sourced native seedlings from the local area. This will help us meet our carbon sequestration goals, improve water quality and support biodiversity.
Get Involved
Get Involved
We cannot meet our goals at LHS alone. From hut restoration and maintenance, to planting, pest control and even making weta retreats there is always a job for a willing volunteer at LHS. Contact --finn@lakehaweastation.com
