Conservation consortium Southern Lakes Sanctuary Trust will receive more than $100,000 to go towards its pest control and biodiversity conservation work in Makarora.

The organisation is one of 29 Otago organisations which receive a share of just over $1M in funding from the Otago Regional Council (ORC) ECO Fund 2025.

The annual fund is designed to support groups and organisations supporting and protecting the environment. ORC announced the successful applicants last night (Wednesday May 21).

Other local recipients include Cardrona Alpine Resort, which received $15,000 for its Pringles Creek native plant restoration, and the Matukituki Charitable Trust, the recipient of just under $50,000 towards pest control efforts in the Matukituki Valley.

They were among eight organisations from the Queenstown Lakes district to receive funding this year.

 ECO Fund assessment panel chair and ORC councillor Alan Somerville said Otago gets “immense value” from the ECO Fund.

“The funding supports community driven projects, which protect, enhance, and promote Otago’s environment,” he said.

“Besides the benefits for biodiversity and freshwater quality, local people build valuable knowledge and skills and strengthen their community connections.”

“I’m only sorry we didn’t have the funds to support more of the applications,” he said.

There were 69 applications for funding requesting a total of more than $3M.

Some “very good” projects have missed out, Alan said, adding that the assessment panel tried to strike a balance, funding “groups with a proven track record, but also some first-time applicants”.

Across the region they will support a wide range of environmental efforts: control of wilding conifers, sycamores and willows, rabbits and predators; weed clearance and native planting; programmes to upskill volunteers in trapping and monitoring; and helping schools with restoration projects.

PHOTO: Wānaka App