The latter, established in 2021, seeks to coordinate landscape-scale conservation across 850,000 hectares of the Southern Lakes.
During the height of Covid, GSD (Good Safe Deeds) Workforce was initiated by AJ Hackett Bungy NZ (AJHBNZ) co-founder Henry van Asch as part of the Jobs for Nature programme.
It aimed to retain skilled workers across the Queenstown-Lakes who’d been displaced by the global pandemic, and help local environmental and community projects.
Supported by a combination of government and private funding, including $300,000 in cash donations from AJHBNZ, over the past four years, the initiative’s successfully delivered SLS’ conservation work across the district through predator control, threatened species recovery, biodiversity monitoring and community involvement to protect native species.
And since 2022, GSD’s 25-strong local team, in partnership with SLS, has installed 6700 new traps and bait stations, bringing the total network to over 13,000.
It’s also supported landmark conservation moments such returning takahe to the Rees Valley and mohua to the Matukituki.
Van Asch says by leveraging AJHBNZ’s existing business infrastructure, including workshops, offices, IT systems and vehicles, GSD’s been able to upsize delivery of SLS conservation programmes to landscape-scale, and its transition to SLS is a logical next step.
"GSD is a great example of how collaboration between businesses and communities can address a need and create a lasting impact.
"What began as a response to a challenging time has evolved into a sustainable, community-driven success story."
SLS chief executive Paul Kavanagh says AJHBNZ’s early and ongoing support’s been instrumental in helping the sanctuary become the "thriving, sustainable organisation it is today", describing the company’s backing as "catalytic".
AJHBNZ will continue to support GSD and SLS through ongoing donations, the provision of equipment and office resources, and community partnership initiatives.
"We’re incredibly grateful for their continued partnership and support as we bring GSD into the Southern Lakes Sanctuary Trust," Kavanagh says.
"Together, we’re building on an extraordinary legacy of innovation and community collaboration."
