Fund to aid Whinray conservation work

AN endowment fund established for the Whinray Ecological Charitable Trust will make a real difference to the conservation work it does in Whinray Scenic Reserve, chairman Dan Griffin says.

Donations to the fund will be invested by the Sunrise Foundation and surplus investment income will be given back to the trust annually.

The money will be used to control pests such as stoats and possums, and develop the reserve, Mr Griffin says.

Fundraising is a huge challenge for charitable organisations like the Whinray trust and the Sunrise Foundation is happy to help, executive officer Glenda Stokes said.

The conservation work that the Whinray Eco Trust does is outstanding.

The success of the trust so far has been largely due to the support of the local community, Mr Griffin says.

“We appreciate the support of the wide range of volunteers and generous sponsors who have helped us to get to where we are today.”

The Whinray Ecological Charitable Trust was formed in 1999 in the effort to restore kiwi populations.

It protects other at-risk species in the Whinray Scenic Reserve such as the North Island robin, weka, falcon, whio, kaka, rifleman and long tailed bats.