Not just for benefit of geckos

A New Zealand-owned environment control company is now the champion of a special Otago Peninsula resident, the native jewelled gecko.

This is a great example of how a commercial organisation can get involved in conservation and it is Setpoint Solution's third year sponsoring the programme, which is co-ordinated by the Department of Conservation.

Both organisations agree the relationship benefits more than jewelled geckos.

Setpoint director Ben Connolly said because his company's core activities were energy management and environmental control solutions, and because it started focusing more on staff culture and community responsibility, it began searching for a relevant cause to support.

It then approached Doc.

"The jewelled gecko programme was the best fit for where our company was heading."

At that time, it was not a Doc programme, but Doc biodiversity assets programme manager David Agnew had been fielding concerns from peninsula residents who wanted it to do more to protect jewelled geckos.

"The sponsorship has enabled us to get involved with a species that's locally significant but otherwise wouldn't be funded because, nationally, it's not considered threatened," Mr Agnew said.

The main objectives of the jewelled gecko programme were to increase the local profile of the species, and co-ordinate the conservation effort on the peninsula.

To date, sponsorship had funded publicity material, a jewelled gecko information day at Portobello last April, the drafting of a local jewelled gecko management plan, and provided equipment for local researchers.

Mr Connolly said the deal helped enhance and strengthen the core principles of his business by supporting a worthwhile cause that had a tangible community impact.

"There are also marketing benefits for the company in being able to promote and incorporate our involvement into company material," Mr Connolly said.

Staff identified with the cause, especially as they had the opportunity for some real hands-on participation in the programme, he added.

- Liz Sherwood is the Department of Conservation community relations ranger for Coastal Otago.