The purchase of a rare forest with environmental significance
will allow a recreation and scientific reserve at Curio Bay
in the Catlins to expand its educational and conservation
role.
The South Catlins Development and Environment Charitable
Trust, with support from the Community Trust of Southland,
has bought a 15-hectare forest block near Waikawa Curio Bay
Rd to add to the existing reserve.
The block is significant as it is believed to be the only one
in the world which exists in such close proximity to an
exposed petrified forest.
Project co-ordinator Juanita Thornton said the trust was
pleased to bring the land back into public ownership and to
restore and protect it.
An upgrade of the Curio Bay Holiday Park's facilities was in
the planning stages, with hopes to include educational walks
on the coast and surrounding wetlands, to see wildlife.
"We plan on incorporating this block into our designs for an
educational experience at Curio Bay and also to encourage the
local yellow eyed penguins to nest in here," she said.
This would enable visitors to get a "well rounded experience"
of all the area had to offer.
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