— Our Story —
“The greatest threat to our planet, is the belief that someone else will save it.”
— Robert Swan
In 2015, against a backdrop of dwindling biodiversity and environmental degradation, the Canopy Conservation Trust (CCT) emerged as a beacon of hope for New Zealand's forests.
Born from the shared vision of passionate conservationists, the Trust embarked on a journey to restore the Dansey Road Scenic Reserve (Okoheriki) in Rotorua, a pristine ecosystem ravaged by invasive predators, to pre-human condition.
Our Founding Principles
At the heart of our charity lies a commitment to conservation, education, and community. Grounded in science, and driven by passion, the Trust strives to:
Restore the natural balance of the Okoheriki and create a sanctuary for native flora and fauna.
Educate the public about the importance of biodiversity conservation and inspire action.
Develop partnerships and collaborations to maximise our impact and reach.
Our Collaborative Approach
The Trust operates in close partnership with Rotorua Canopy Tours (RCT), a leading ecotourism business, leveraging their expertise, labour, funding and resources to strengthen our conservation efforts. Together, on behalf of the Mana Whenua, and the Department of Conservation (DOC), we’ve pioneered innovative solutions and established a model for sustainable ecotourism that supports conservation and the environment.
Our Achievements (So far…)
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o 11 years of pest control on 200ha with over 850 traps.
o Removed 100 possums annually over the last 5 years.
o Removed at least 2000 rats/mice per year for the last 4 years.
o Removed 5 Stoats in the last 6 months.
o Rat/mice numbers reduced to 0-20% over the last 2 years.
o Possum reduced to 7-9% over the last 4 years.
o Removed 8 goats in the last 12 months.
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o Witnessed the flourishing of the forest canopy and floor, and the return of diverse bird and insect species to a once silent forest.
o Confirmed - no myrtle rust
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o Pittospurum kirriki
o Pittospurum cornifolium
o Striped skink
o New Zealand Scorpion
o Long Tailed Bats
o New Zealand Falcon
o Grey warblers
o Glowworms
o Moths - Thambrota Vates
o Koekoea
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Discovered numerous new species, completely unrecorded and new to science!
o Tunnelweb spider
o Pink mushrooms
o Dung beetles
Our Vision for the Future
With your help, the future looks bright. The Trust envisions a future where New Zealand’s forests thrive, teeming with endemic life and native biodiversity. Our long-term goal is to expand our conservation footprint to the north side of the forest, reintroduce flora and fauna species at risk and on the brink of extinction, like the Kokako, Kiwi and Rifleman birds, back into the forest, and inspire a global movement for environmental stewardship.
Join Our Cause
Join us, in our mission to safeguard New Zealand’s natural heritage for generations to come. Whether through donations, volunteering, corporate sponsorship, or spreading awareness, every contribution makes a difference. Together, every action we make, is a step towards a brighter, healthier future.