Central Otago Ecological Trust

Central Otago Ecological Trust is a charitable trust that works with the Central Otago community to restore indigenous wildlife in the area.

We are a group of Alexandra residents with interests in wildlife conservation and community participation. We know the community is interested in conservation in Central Otago but has little opportunity to act when it comes to fauna conservation. Therefore, in March 2005 we formed a charitable trust (Central Otago Ecological Trust). The trust has partnerships with the Department of Conservation, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, and the Central Stories Museum, and is supported by foundation members, donators, volunteers, and a range of professionals with specialist skills.

The Central Otago Ecological Trust’s primary goals are to:

• Provide opportunities for Central Otago communities to be actively involved in conservation.

• Educate people about the special values of dryland ecosystems.

• Reintroduce fauna that has been lost from the Alexandra basin.